Zeka: "If We Trust Each Other and Play Well, We Can Win Gold"
Following a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, the South Korean League of Legends national team has advanced to the Asian Games final. Ahead of their showdown against Chinese Taipei, mid-laner Zeka (Kim Geon-woo) spoke about the team's preparation, the importance of internal trust, and the tactical adjustments expected from their upcoming opponents.
Preparing for the Unknown
The semifinal at Aichi Sky Expo in Japan presented a unique challenge: facing an opponent from a region with an unfamiliar playstyle. Zeka explained that because the team rarely faced Saudi Arabia in competitive play, they had to prepare a vast array of strategic responses. "We prepared as many strategies as possible, and because our preparation was solid, I think we were able to win 2-0," he stated.
During the pick and ban phase, the focus was on neutralizing the opponent's comfort picks. Zeka noted that international teams often rely heavily on their players' specific champion pools, leading the Korean side to implement targeted bans. Despite unconventional strategies introduced by the Hong Kong team during the tournament, Zeka believes their drafting process remained effective and within their planned scope.
The Challenge of Chinese Taipei
The final brings a more familiar opponent: Chinese Taipei. While Zeka has watched many of their matches, he is wary of their potential evolution. Having lost to South Korea during the group stage, Chinese Taipei is expected to arrive with significant tactical adjustments. "Since they lost our previous match, I expect them to make a lot of adjustments to their strategy and other areas. We need to prepare even more thoroughly," he warned.
The core of the matchup, according to Zeka, lies in the mid and jungle lanes. He expressed strong confidence in his team's ability to outplay the Chinese Taipei duo in these roles. "I think Chinese Taipei is a team centered around their mid and jungle. I believe our mid and jungle are much better, so if we trust each other and execute well, we can win the gold medal," he said.
Adapting to the Environment
Beyond the game itself, Zeka has had to adapt to the tournament's logistical demands. This included adjusting his daily routine to align with the later match schedules compared to the 9:00 AM starts during the group stage. Additionally, technical nuances played a role; as a low-sensitivity player, he found the switch to a wired mouse a significant change. "I practiced as much as possible with a wired mouse to prepare, and after actually playing matches with it, I'm very used to it now," he explained.
The best-of-five final is scheduled for October 2. Zeka concluded with a message to the fans in South Korea, expressing his determination to secure a clean gold medal for the nation.
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