There was no repeat glory for the Dallas Fuel, but even they knew facing a capable Wrecking Ball would be troublesome.
The Shanghai Dragons found the secret sauce to defeating the Dallas Fuel in the 4-3 June Joust Championship. Most of the Fuel’s prior opponents through the midway point of the Overwatch League season were lucky to get a map or two when Dallas was in form.
The Fuel’s depth and ability to dominate with their rush composition, posting main tank player Lee “Fearless” Eui-Seok on his staple Winston pick. But Eui-Seok didn’t get much practice time on Wrecking Ball. Dallas head coach Yun “RUSH” Hee-Won said he never needed to in the Fuel’s post-match press conference Saturday evening.
Yun and the Fuel knew Wrecking Ball was the dagger that could seep into the Fuel’s strategy. They were just hoping teams wouldn’t find out. Shanghai did, and Lee was thrown into a duel with Shanghai’s Wrecking Ball expert, Koo “Fate” Pan-seung.
“I was quite nervous because I did not get enough practice,” Lee said via interpreter. “In terms of my duel with Fate, though I was nervous I felt like at the moment we didn’t have that much difference in our skill level. So I thought it was doable, but it was very regretful that we lost today.”
That hurt more than a heartbreak
— Dear 🦌 (@Loldear) June 13, 2021
Ggs
It was a heartbreaking loss for the Fuel camp. The interpreted word most used was “regretful,” as Lee said. But Dallas is still primed to keep its pace the rest of this season. Back-to-back tournament championship appearances solidified the Fuel as the overwhelming team to defeat in North America, and there’s no proof that they wouldn’t shine again in the Summer Showdown without hero bans.
The Fuel can actually look even better soon. Kim “Doha” Dong-Ha felt the Fuel were limited by hero bans despite rolling through the North America region. Hitscan player Kim “Pine” Do-hyeon will eventually end up in Dallas as well despite no set date for his landing.
If the Fuel can incorporate a talented hitscan player into their system, they won’t have as many weaknesses. Dallas was already playing with its own hero ban, essentially. That didn’t help teams gain an edge over the Fuel.
When it comes to returning to Hawaii in the future, the Fuel know what to expect because of their experience from the first two tournaments.
“Hawaii itself is nice, but it takes a long travel time to come here and it honestly piles up. We lose the game sense that we built through consistent practice and that’s quite uncomfortable,” Fuel tank player Choi “Hanbin” Han-been said via interpreter. “Although it’s not bad, we definitely need time to adjust and to fully warm up it takes time.
“This time was honestly the same as last time. It felt like it was pretty rushed and we are definitely tight on schedule at all times.”
moment of victory! coach moon literally falls to his knees when they win 😭 pic.twitter.com/b454z7nD1y
— 森 sen (@sen_ebooks) June 13, 2021
The Fuel already transitioned from a team with a losing record and deteriorating culture to a championship-winning group that is close-knit. A map-seven loss in one of the Overwatch League’s most competitive series ever isn’t going to rip them apart.
Yun is often critical of his team, even after wins. He was pleased by the Fuel’s effort after this one.
“There’s really not much else to say other than ‘good job guys, good work. We will win next time,’” Yun said via interpreter. “Second place is still good. It’s really whatever. We just have to move on.”
Perhaps that’s a sign that a return to Hawaii may not take long.
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