Dota 2 ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 – Day 1: So It Begins

The Dota 2 ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 kicked off with group-stage matchups featuring two groups, each consisting of six teams, vying for a total prize pool of US$1,000,000 and 20,000 EPT Points.

Group A is led by Azure Ray and Blacklist International, while Team Falcons and Tundra Esports share the spotlight in Group B.

On the first day, twelve Bo2 series unfolded with distinctive team fights and memorable gameplay moments. Notable highlights include Team Falcons defeating Team Liquid, and Team Secret finding themselves at the bottom of Group A.

In a standout match, Team Falcons secured a dominant victory over Team Liquid. Skiter’s Weaver played a crucial role, strategically farming in the jungle while his team engaged in fights across the map. Liquid’s Luna made a critical mistake by not participating in a key fight, allowing Falcons to take control of the map and secure two sets of racks. Skiter’s spectacular plays, including a triple rampage, sealed the victory for Team Falcons.

Azure Ray faced Team Secret in their first series, with Azure Ray winning both games. Utilizing an aggressive lineup, Azure Ray dominated the early game skirmishes, building a gold lead. Despite a strong counterattack from Team Secret, Azure Ray secured the victory with a well-coordinated teamfight, resulting in a triple rampage for Naga Siren.

In another surprising turn of events, BetBoom Team defeated Gaimin Gladiators, the Dota 2 Major winners and TI12 finalists. The game-changing moment occurred when GG claimed the Aegis on Dazzle instead of Terrorblade or Pangolier. This mistake proved costly, leading to GG’s defeat as BetBoom capitalized on the ensuing teamfight.

Tundra Esports, featuring a new roster of former TSM players, emerged as the Group B leaders. They achieved victories against G2.iG and 9Pandas with a combination of strong drafts and cohesive gameplay. In their matches, Tundra displayed superior hero selections and coordination, securing a perfect start at Dota 2 ESL One KL 2023.