Clutch Gaming gets revenge on CLG in LCS regional qualifiers

Clutch Gaming has positioned themselves just one crucial series away from securing their spot at the prestigious 2019 League of Legends World Championship.

The organization achieved sweet revenge against longtime rivals Counter Logic Gaming during the second round of the LCS regional qualifiers. This intense rivalry originated during the 2019 LCS Summer playoffs third-place match, where CLG executed a stunning reverse sweep against Clutch, relegating them to the lower bracket of the qualification tournament.

Facing FlyQuest in the opening round provided Clutch with the perfect opportunity to build competitive momentum. This hard-fought victory elevates Clutch in the qualification bracket, setting up a high-stakes finals confrontation against Team SoloMid this coming Sunday.

CLG takes a risk, throws the game

CLG reintroduced the Tahm Kench and Sona combination for the opening game, but implemented an unexpected role reversal. Trevor “Stixxay” Hayes assumed control of Tahm Kench while Vincent “Biofrost” Wang selected Sona. This unconventional strategy prioritized Biofrost’s champion comfort at the direct expense of Stixxay’s established playstyle preferences.

CLG’s experimental bottom lane pairing failed to establish any meaningful presence. “Cody Sun” Li-Yu and Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme completely dominated the lane matchup, allowing Clutch to systematically extend their influence across the entire map. While CLG managed a well-executed rotation to secure the game’s initial dragon, this represented their sole significant proactive play throughout the entire match.

Clutch methodically captured every available objective and then expanded their control further. CLG found themselves with no viable alternatives except conceding map control and retreating to defend their base. With Stixxay and Biofrost effectively neutralized, Cody Sun and Tanner “Damonte” Damonte operated with complete freedom and dominance.

Clutch secured the Baron Nashor without any opposition, and the subsequent assault on CLG’s nexus proved equally straightforward for the dominant team.

Huni versus the world

CLG implemented draft modifications for the second game, placing Stixxay on the more conventional Xayah pick. The early phase featured intensely aggressive play from Clutch, though CLG demonstrated they possessed sufficient capability to counterattack effectively.

Following the chaotic opening exchanges, CLG opted to consolidate their forces and pursue elimination plays. The match remained evenly contested until both squads converged near the dragon pit. CLG maintained positional control over the area with most Clutch members within their vision range, but they critically underestimated Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon’s impact potential – a miscalculation that completely reversed the game’s momentum.

Huni successfully trapped four CLG players with his ultimate ability, instantly transforming the teamfight outcome. The top laner rapidly accumulated an insurmountable advantage, quickly reaching a point where no CLG roster member could effectively counter his relentless split-pushing pressure.

CLG became singularly focused on eliminating Huni, consequently neglecting their base defenses. While Huni engaged in what seemed like a one-versus-five scenario, the remaining Clutch members systematically pushed toward the inhibitor structures. CLG achieved their target elimination, but sacrificed their entire base and ultimately the game in the process.

CLG won’t go down without a fight

CLG mounted a formidable counterattack in the third game, evoking painful memories for Clutch of their previous Detroit series collapse. The match outcome was heavily influenced by draft decisions, as Clutch lacked a genuine frontline presence while CLG jungler Raymond “Wiggily” Griffin’s Nocturne could access any target without significant resistance.

CLG organized early team formations and executed highly effective map rotations. CLG established lane priority across all positions while simultaneously benefiting from Wiggily’s relentless pressure. Clutch found themselves completely unable to counter his Nocturne plays, with every attempted skirmish being decisively reversed against them.

The concluding sequence featured CLG securing their second Baron buff, with Clutch’s defensive structure disintegrating under the coordinated siege pressure. CLG demolished the nexus structure, strongly suggesting the potential for another dramatic reverse sweep scenario.

Clutch stops the reverse sweep

Clutch absolutely could not permit CLG to force a decisive fifth game, prompting the strategic decision to deploy Qiyana into their composition.

The early game developed cautiously and methodically. Clutch intentionally avoided excessive aggression, while CLG sought additional time to reach their scaling power spikes.

Once again, Huni established a significant advantage over the opposing team, becoming the primary threat on the battlefield. The top laner miscalculated his advantage margin and CLG capitalized on this error. This initiated a volatile mid-game phase characterized by multiple teamfight engagements and Baron Nashor contests.

CLG successfully secured the game’s second Baron buff and initiated their final push toward victory. Clutch maintained disciplined patience and executed a perfectly timed flank maneuver.

CLG evacuated their base defensively while Clutch immediately pursued aggressively. Biofrost valiantly sacrificed himself to facilitate his team’s escape, but Clutch detected vulnerability and continued their relentless pursuit.

Positioned beneath the top lane outer turret, Clutch finally intercepted CLG’s retreating forces. The coordinated crowd control from Vulcan and Damonte enabled Clutch to eliminate four opponents in a single decisive play. Clutch immediately transitioned to the advancing bottom lane minion wave to secure the series victory and continue their journey toward Worlds qualification.

This Sunday, Clutch will confront Team SoloMid with a coveted World Championship placement on the line.

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