With Team Liquid, DAMWON Gaming and Invictus Gaming all tied up with game records of 2-1, the final half of group D at Worlds 2019 will be a very interesting one to follow. With each team looking for a chance at the 1st seed going into playoffs, which players have already stepped up and will need to continue doing so in Group D? Take a look with this special Group D edition of the OP5.
TOP: Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon (DAMWON Gaming)
The Kleptomancy master takes the first OP5 spot for Worlds 2019 in the top lane. While his first game against Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong and the rest of Team Liquid was fairly weak, Nuguri has been amazing through the first half of their group stage. With an amazing game on Jayce against fellow Korean top laner Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok and Invictus Gaming, Nuguri was able to edge out the rest of the group’s top laners for this spot.
With DAMWON slowly looking better and better, the 1st seed going into the playoffs looks more and more possible for the Korean third seed team. If DAMWON is able to pick up a revenge victory against TL in their first match on Sunday, then DAMWON should be able to easily take the 1st seed.
Jungle: Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu (DAMWON Gaming)
While there were a lot of great jungle performances in the first half of Group D, Canyon is able to barely edge out the competition and take the spot in the OP5. With some great games on the likes of Gragas and Taliyah, Canyon was able to show why he was able to pick up the MVP award in the LCK. With two very strong solo laners, Canyon was able to once again snowball his solo laners into victory.
As the final stretch of the group stage is still ahead of them, Canyon needs to continue his strong performance. As long as Canyon can continue to show up and dominate, DAMWON’s road to the playoffs could become a lot easier.
Mid: Song “Rookie” Eui-jin (Invictus Gaming)
Taking the OP mid spot for Group D is Invictus Gaming’s Rookie. Despite some concern regarding how well Rookie and IG will do after barely making it into Worlds, Rookie has shown that he’s ready to dominate internationally once again. While Rookie has been one of the better players through the first half of the group stage, it was highlighted by an amazing performance on Orianna (6/1/7) against Team Liquid.
Heading into the final half of group stages, IG could easily pick up a 3-0 day and pick up the 1st seed heading into playoffs. Considering their only loss came at the hands of DAMWON Gaming in a close match and some smart drafting, IG should be able to turn things around in that match.
ADC: Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng (Team Liquid)
With some great ADCs in Group D between Doublelift and Invictus Gaming’s Yu “JackeyLove” Wen-Bo, Doublelift was able to out-perform the rest of the group and take the OP ADC spot for the first half of the group stage. While most ADCs have had some amazing games in their first three matches, Doublelift has been the most consistent overall. Considering how much Doublelift is relied on to carry the team, it’s not a surprise that he was able to stay consistent and dominate in their matches.
However, if Doublelift and the rest of TL want to finally make it past group stages and into the playoffs, Doublelift will need to remain this consistent going into the final day of action. If Doublelift struggles now, it could be another long offseason for Team Liquid.
Support: Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in (Team Liquid)
Behind an amazing ADC is always a just as amazing support. This was the case for Team Liquid as CoreJJ joins Doublelift in the OP 5. With an impressive 73.3% kill participation through the three games, CoreJJ has been one of the key playmakers for TL so far this tournament.
While the pressure to carry the team will be on Doublelift in the final day of group stages, CoreJJ will have a just as important role. In order for Doublelift to dominate and truly keep TL’s playoff dreams alive, CoreJJ will need to support him and help him snowball into the dominant ADC he can be. With the playoffs an arm’s reach away, will the TL bot lane be able to bring them into the promised land?
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