VKE SofM: "Against MDK, it felt like our first time playing together [...] I know our strengths well though, I'm not worried"

Following a difficult 0-2 loss to MAD Lions KOI in the first round of the League of Legends Worlds 2024 Play-In stage, Vikings Esports must regroup and move past their hurdles as they prepare to face paiN Gaming in the next round. To shed some light on the team's first match, head coach Lê "SofM" Quang Duy sat down with Sheep Esports to discuss the reasons behind the team's loss and his expectations for Worlds 2024.

Entering as clear underdogs, Vikings Esports’ journey at Worlds has just begun, yet they already face the threat of an early exit after only one match. With a cutthroat format where two losses result in direct elimination, the team's aspirations to prove themselves in the big leagues hang in the balance. If one word could capture the team’s emotions after their first match, it would be frustration. When asked about his feelings, SofM remarked, "After this first match, it felt like we were playing together for the first time. Our performance wasn’t great, and we missed a lot of chances during this match".

Despite this setback, a silver lining remains for the second-seed Vietnamese representatives. "We've learned a lot from these past games, and we'll be using those lessons as weapons for the next ones. People probably don’t think much of us, especially after the 0-2 against MAD Lions. But personally, I believe I understand our strengths and GAM’s strengths quite well. So, I don’t have a lot of worries going into the next games", the coach stated, reinforcing that the team has not given up and remains highly motivated.

Amid the pressure of the upcoming APAC region merge and SofM's unique position as a former professional jungler, the team's task at Worlds has not been easy. "Coming into these Worlds, I have a lot more responsibilities than I used to have, and I feel like I have to try harder to achieve what I want to", SofM expressed, reflecting on his new roles as both team owner and head coach— a significant shift from his previous identity.

"Yes, there's definitely a lot of pressure. We have to perform well, not only for ourselves but for the entire region due to next year's changes. For now, our biggest goal is just to win our next games and get into the Swiss stage", he continued. Despite the team's challenges, it's clear that neither the players nor the staff have abandoned their dreams to 'Make Them Believe' in Vikings Esports.

"Gury definitely has a lot of strengths and the potential to be one of the top-tier junglers, but it's going to take years", SofM elaborated, discussing Gury's potential to reach the level he once attained. Known as Style of Me, the head coach was once regarded as one of the best players in Vietnam, competing for major organizations within the LPL.

Nonetheless, Vikings Esports is stepping back into the arena as they prepare to face paiN Gaming, a match that should be well within reach for the Vietnamese representatives. "The meta is pretty chaotic right now, and we’re among the first to experience it", SofM noted, then adding, "Still, I think the atmosphere here is pretty fun. I'm so thankful to all the fans for their continued support. We’ll be well-prepared for our next games".