MongolZ are through to the playoffs of PGL Astana ahead of NAVI, having won all the matches they have played in the tournament. Having beaten lesser-known teams, they took down NAVI in a 2-0 fashion to make it into the next round in Astana.
VETO
- The MongolZ removed Train
- Natus Vincere removed Ancient
- The MongolZ picked Inferno
- Natus Vincere picked Mirage
- Natus Vincere removed Anubis
- The MongolZ removed Nuke
- Dust2 was left over
Map 1: Inferno: Pick: MongolZ; Winner: MongolZ
Dominant opening rounds from NAVI kept MongolZ off the scoreboard until the 5th round. Having remained the better team for the better part of the first half, NAVI switched sides with an 8-4 lead. The MongolZ turned the game around with a pistol round win that saw them level the deficit, which led to them going toe to toe with NAVI. Winning 5 rounds in a row to close the map, MongolZ stealrolled through the NAVI defense in the final few rounds to bring home their map pick. Despite being the best player on the server, b1t, with 21 kills, failed to take it over the line for his side.
Map 2: Mirage: Pick: NAVI; Winner: MongolZ;
Continuing with the momentum from Inferno, MongolZ were by far the better side on their offence. Managing a decent lead early into the map, NAVI somehow put together a few rounds, thus making it a close affair before switching sides. The second half was a close affair as MongolZ and NAVI kept trading rounds until the end of the game before the Asian side edged out a lead. Senzu led the charts for his team with 21 kills and secured playoffs for his side with a 13-11 win in Mirage.
NAVI’s solid start to the campaign has met an unexpected halt against a familiar foe in MongolZ, a team they have had a lot of struggles in recent history. As NAVI continues to falter, their chances of putting up a decent showing at the Major look bleaker with every passing event.