TL;DR
- Faker was surprisingly benched in South Korea’s first Asian Games evaluation match against Vietnam
- Team South Korea fielded a superteam with players from T1, Gen.G, and JD Gaming
- The coaching staff faces a difficult choice between Faker and Chovy for the starting mid lane position
- Victory at the Asian Games carries military service exemption for all roster players
- Esports makes its debut as an official medal event in the Olympics-sanctioned competition
The esports world witnessed a surprising development when three-time World Champion Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok found himself on the bench during South Korea’s opening evaluation match against Vietnam. This strategic decision by the coaching staff immediately sparked speculation about roster strategies for the upcoming 2022 Asian Games.
South Korea’s national team commenced their preparation matches with a lineup that notably excluded the legendary mid laner. Instead, the coaching staff opted to start Gen.G’s mid laner and current LCK champion Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon, signaling potential rotation strategies for the prestigious tournament.
The starting roster featured an impressive assembly of talent: T1’s top laner Choi “Zeus” Woo-je and support Ryu “Keria” Min-seok combined with JD Gaming’s jungler Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok and bot laner Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk. This superteam configuration demonstrated South Korea’s commitment to fielding their strongest possible lineup.
Vietnam countered with their own competitive roster featuring Team Whales’ bot lane duo Trần “Artemis” Quốc Hưng and Trần “Bie” Đức Hiếu alongside mid laner Lê “Glory” Ngọc Vinh. GAM Esports contributed jungler Đỗ “Levi” Duy Khánh and top laner Trần “Kiaya” Duy Sang to complete their national team. Interestingly, all ten competitors from this match are scheduled to participate in the 2023 World Championship hosted in South Korea.
As anticipated, South Korea demonstrated complete dominance over the Vietnamese squad, securing a convincing 2-0 victory without dropping a single game. The clean sweep validated the team’s strength despite Faker’s absence from the starting lineup.
The coaching strategy became clearer when Faker returned to the starting roster for Tuesday’s match against Chinese Taipei. South Korea maintained their perfect record with another decisive 2-0 win, showcasing the team’s formidable capabilities with either mid laner option.
These evaluation matches served as critical testing grounds for the coaching staff to assess team chemistry, individual performance under pressure, and strategic flexibility. The back-to-back victories against different regional opponents provided valuable data points for final roster decisions.
The dual success with both mid lane configurations presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the coaching staff as they approach final selection deadlines.
Will Faker play in the 2022 Asian Games?
Following two days of intensive evaluation matches, the central question remains unresolved: will Faker secure the starting position for the 2022 Asian Games?
South Korea’s national team delivered dominant performances regardless of which mid laner started, creating a genuine selection dilemma for the coaching staff. Both Faker and Chovy demonstrated they could integrate effectively with the star-studded roster.
The decision-making process involves multiple complex factors beyond individual skill. Coaches must consider playstyle compatibility with specific teammates, champion pool diversity for different strategic approaches, and psychological factors in high-pressure international competition.
Common selection mistakes in such situations include overvaluing past reputation, underestimating team chemistry factors, and failing to account for specific opponent matchups. Successful roster decisions typically balance experience with current form while maintaining strategic flexibility.
The 2022 Asian Games represents far more than just a prelude to Worlds 2023. The tournament outcomes carry profound implications for every player on the South Korean roster, particularly regarding mandatory military service obligations.
As an event officially sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee, this marks the historic debut of esports as a medal-awarding competition. This Olympic recognition elevates the tournament’s significance beyond typical esports events.
A gold medal victory at the Asian Games would grant Faker and his teammates exemption from South Korea’s compulsory military service requirement. This exemption could potentially extend their competitive careers by several years, making the roster selection one of the most consequential decisions of their professional lives.
The military service exemption represents a career-defining opportunity for all eligible players. Understanding these high stakes helps explain the intense scrutiny surrounding roster decisions and the careful evaluation process undertaken by the coaching staff.
Action Checklist
- Analyze both mid laners’ performance metrics from evaluation matches
- Research team chemistry indicators and player compatibility factors
- Monitor official roster announcements from Korean Esports Association
- Compare champion pool diversity and strategic flexibility options
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Faker benched in first 2022 Asian Games pre-evaluation Analyzing Faker's Asian Games roster status, military service implications, and team selection dynamics