RBG Hangs Onto Closed Qualifier Invite

Open qualifiers are some of the most brutal events for bubble teams, with so many games to win and only two lives. That's why an immediate invite, which was on the line between RBG Esports and Charlotte Phoenix, who were tied for 16th seed, to closed qualifiers can be so crucial.

In the last closed qualifier, RBG swept Charlotte Phoenix in round 4, eliminating Charlotte Phoenix from contention, before later booking their ticket to main event. RBG appeared to have the early mental edge, with Delta overcommitting to hand RBG an open net, followed up by lack of rotations handing RBG the 2-0 lead, which would be enough for the game 1 win.

Unfortunately, for RBG, disaster then struck. Xpurt dc'ed midway through game 2, which they had to forfeit, resulting in RBG calling up sub Azfura, who despite playing college Rocket League and streaming, is not someone necessarily fine tuned for these situations. But credit where credit is due, Azfura rose to the occasion, slotting a top in shot to tie game 3, 2-2, before sneaking it past all 3 defenders to clutch the game 3 win and take the series lead 2-1.

The next couple games were back and forth, and although Azfura's rotations occasionally found himself out of position, Money and Zineel made a good effort of filling up the cracks with some superb defence, helping RBG keep a 3-2 series lead. After a classy early finish from Money, and perfect 50 from Zineel, it looked like RBG would do it. Yet a sensational fake from Delta caught Azfura hook, line and sinker, setting up Beastaboniam for an easy finish to send the game to overtime, where they saved the ball off the goal line multiple times, before Delta's perfect bottom corner shot sent the series to game 7.

Despite the tough loss in game 6, where the series appeared all but over, RBG bounced back extremely well, with a Money redirect, followed by his second of the game after a perfect backboard pass from Azfura, enough for RBG to clinch the game 7, sending the team to closed qualifiers next week. RBG now have a well earned rest and opportunity to analyse and train throughout days 1 and 2 of the upcoming qualifiers, whereas Charlotte Phoenix, with their head in their hands, will have to fight their way through opens in an effort to return to main event.