T1 defeated Trace Esports, knocking them out of Valorant Masters Bangkok tournament. It was a BO3, but the series ended with only two won maps from the series being won by T1: Lotus and Haven. This loss makes Trace Esports eliminated from the tournament without having won any single map.
Match Overview
The first map played was Lotus, chosen by Trace Esports. Despite their confidence, T1 dominated this map winning with a decisive 13-3 scoreline. T1’s player iZu performed well, earned several multikills which boosted their lead.
After a solid performance on Lotus, T1 kept their advantage on the second map, Haven. They began with a 4-0 lead. Although Trace Esports tied the score at 6-6 by halftime, T1’s duo, Meteor and BuZz, played better after halftime. Together they helped T1 win 13-8 on Haven ending the series.
Before this elimination match, both teams suffered 2-0 losses in their opening games. Trace Esports lost to G2 Esports, while T1 ended with a close series against Team Vitality. After their loss T1 changed the roster: they removed Carpe and brought in Sylvan. Sylvan started as controller during the offseason and at the start of the Kickoff event but did not play in the last four matches. This change sought to improve T1’s lineup for the key match with Trace Esports.
Trace Esports chose Lotus for the map, a decision that raised doubts because T1 had never lost on this map during the Kickoff event. In a post match interview, T1’s in game leader, stax, thanked Trace Esports for their map choice naming Lotus one of their best maps. Trace’s head coach, destroyeR, said they picked Lotus because of wins in practice and the previous year. He blamed the loss on poor in game decisions rather than the map itself.
With this victory T1 avoids elimination and advances in the Swiss stage of the tournament. They will face one of the following teams in their next match: DRX, G2 Esports or the winner of the Sentinels vs. Team Liquid match. T1’s international runs ended in the group stage. One more win gives them the chance to reach the playoffs for the first time.
Trace Esports’ journey in the Valorant Masters Bangkok ends with this defeat. Despite their efforts they did not win a map during the tournament. This result may force the team to review their strategies and plans for future competitions.
The match between T1 and Trace Esports showed T1’s skill and ability to adapt, with good lineup switches and solid map control. As the tournament moves forward, T1 tries to keep this momentum to grab a historic playoff spot. Trace Esports will try to learn from this loss to boost their future play in competitive Valorant.
