MongolZ Pulls Off Upset Victory at IEM Taipei
In a surprising turn of events, Mongolian team MongolZ emerged as the champions of IEM Taipei, defeating several strong opponents along the way. This victory not only earned them a $30,000 prize, but also secured them a spot at IEM Katowice.
A Dark Horse Rises
MongolZ was not initially considered to be a strong contender in the competition. However, their recent move to Vietnam for better training conditions gave them an edge. Similar to Australian team Renegades, who relocated to Las Vegas, MongolZ wanted to improve their chances of success. Despite their underdog status, Renegades, Chiefs Esports Club, and CyberZen were expected to fill two of the finalist spots. However, TyLoo was disqualified due to a player with a previous VAC ban.
MongolZ Triumphs
MongolZ started their winning streak by defeating the favorites, Renegades. Enkhtaivan “Machinegun” Lkhavga and Temuulen “Zilkenberg” Battulga showcased impressive performances on Cache, leading MongolZ to a 16-13 victory. Facing off against Chiefs in the next match, MongolZ once again emerged victorious with outstanding play from Lkhavga and Battulga, who had a combined KDA of 43 and 137 frags between them.
Meanwhile, Renegades fought their way through the lower bracket and successfully defeated Taiwanese side Eat You Alive. They then faced off against CyberZen in the semi-finals, securing a swift 2-0 victory. This set the stage for a grand final rematch against MongolZ and guaranteed both teams a spot in the offline qualifier for the upcoming MLG major in Columbus.
MongolZ Dominates the Grand Finals
Unfortunately for neutral fans, the grand finals didn’t live up to the hype of their previous encounter. MongolZ completely controlled the game on Cobblestone and dominated Renegades on Inferno, resulting in a clean 2-0 sweep. Despite a weak showing from the Australian side, MongolZ’s Tsog “Tsogoo” Mashbat showcased an impressive performance, especially compared to the group stage. A slightly controversial moment occurred during the game on Inferno, but no action was taken and the game continued.
MongolZ Faces Tough Competition at IEM Katowice
MongolZ will be placed in Group A at IEM Katowice, which is being labeled as the tournament’s “Group of Death.” They will go head-to-head against Fnatic, Na’Vi, Luminosity, NiP, and Mousesports. While Fnatic is expected to come out on top, the other teams need to be cautious of MongolZ and the potential for another upset.
Photo via ESL