The closed qualifiers for Dota 2’s ESL One Kuala Lumpur concluded yesterday, and with restricted slots up for grabs, the qualifier was extra stacked than ever—which means some massive names missed out on the enjoyable. Nonetheless, two Dota stalwarts have made it to the occasion on the again of unusual performances.
Group Secret and 9Pandas didn’t signal thrilling prospects through the commerce window, limiting expectations after a disappointing TI 2023 run. Each groups had been thought of the losers of the Dota 2 post-TI 2023 roster shuffle. The brand new 9Pandas roster seemed like a downgrade, and Team Secret welcomed back two familiar faces however it didn’t appear sufficient to persuade followers both group would make it to the Malaysian match. Nonetheless, they’ve each accomplished simply that in beautiful vogue.
Group Secret started the Western European qualifier terribly, going 0-2 towards OG then dropping the opening map to Alliance within the decrease bracket, placing them towards the ropes.
All the way down to their final life, Secret pounced again and fought their means by way of the decrease bracket with wins over Alliance, Group Tickles, and a revenge victory over OG earlier than taking down Entity to lock within the spot. All through the way in which, Secret showcased a powerful stage of coordination and chemistry that continued to develop all through the qualifiers.
Within the Jap European qualifier, an analogous story was written by 9Pandas. Like Secret, they had been additionally immediately knocked out of the higher bracket by little-known squad Klim Sani4. Happening an equally dominant decrease bracket run allowed 9Pandas to punch their tickets to Kuala Lumpur.
Many anticipated NAVI or Virtus Professional to assert the second slot on the EEU qualifiers, however each of these groups had been eradicated from the competitors by 9Pandas, who’re certain to be within the combine come December.
All of the certified and invited groups will meet in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 11 and compete for a $1 million prize pool. This occasion can even be the primary match in Dota 2’s “2024” aggressive calendar—the primary in a brand new, extra open scene after the dissolution of the Dota Pro Circuit.
