How Azure Ray beat Gladiators: strategy, emotions and triumph at One Kuala Lumpur
Jiang An, captain and support of the fifth position of Chinese eSports team Azure Ray, shared behind-the-scenes details about the tense grand final of One Kuala Lumpur, where his team unexpectedly rose to the top, surprising many fans and analysts. In the interview, he talked about tactics, emotions and the huge role of the coach in achieving success.
“We let them take Pangolier – that was the plan”
In the key match of the tournament, Gladiators preferred Pangolier, who was chosen by the team’s midlaner Quinn “Quinn” Callahan. As it turned out, this decision was part of Azure Ray’s strategy. Jiang An admitted that the team never considered this hero a serious threat and deliberately allowed the opponents to use it. However, the start of the match was difficult: losing two maps in a row put the Chinese team in a difficult position. “When you’re down 0:2, it’s incredibly difficult to get back into the game. Everyone was on edge, emotions were off the charts,” the captain noted.
Despite the difficult start, the Azure Ray players did not panic. According to Jiang An, there was confidence within the team: the opponents are strong, but they can be defeated. The main thing is patience and calm. “We lost to the Gladiators just a day ago, but we knew they weren’t invincible. We just had to believe in ourselves and our abilities,” the captain said.
The “shit” incident and additional motivation
Jiang An also commented on the words of Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov, Gladiators carry, who compared Azure Ray to “shit” before the match. According to the captain, this thoughtless statement played into their hands. “His words only increased our desire to win. We wanted to prove who the real champion is here,” he admitted. The captain paid special attention to the team’s coach, whose role he considers extremely important. Especially in moments when things are not going as we would like. “After losses, the coach helps us restore morale, reboot and focus on the game again. Without him, it would have been difficult to achieve such success,” Jiang An shared.
After an incredible comeback and victory, the team experienced mixed feelings. “Emotions were at their peak at first, but soon only fatigue and hunger remained,” the support player jokingly noted. Azure Ray’s victory brought the team not only $300,000, but also a direct entry to the prestigious DreamLeague S22 tournament. This triumph became a real sensation in the world of eSports, proving that patience, self-confidence, and a smart strategy can lead to victory even in the most difficult situations.
