Another day of DOTA 2 action went underway, and another two teams went home as the day ended. The Main Stage is not an easy place to be in, with the pressure of the fans chanting around you and the pressure to live up to the hype or go home.
Upper Bracket
Team Secret versus Thunder Awaken started off the third day of the Main Stage. Winning this match is extremely important for these teams as it secures a top-three spot in The International 2022, and the winner will be one series away from reaching the Grand Finals. After qualifying through the Last Chance Qualifiers, Team Secret is riding a massive wave of momentum after sweeping PSG.LGD in the earlier round. Team Secret stayed true to their playstyle, and they overwhelmed Thunder Awaken in the late game of their matches. Team Secret secured their top-three spot after winning another sweep against Thunder Awaken. Team Secret punched their ticket to the Upper Bracket Final.
The clash of the titans happened at the second Upper Bracket match of the day. Tundra Esports versus Team Aster both are often regarded as one of the top teams in their respective regions. Both teams must live up to lofty expectations and secure the coveted Upper Bracket Final spot. Game one of the series proved to be challenging for both of them to finish. However, Tundra Esports remained calm and composed in the late game, securing a lead in the series after 49 minutes of action. Tundra Esports proceeded to send Team Aster down to the Lower Bracket ending the series with a sweep. Tundra will now face Team Secret in the Upper Bracket Final.
Lower Bracket
The battle for survival, the Lower Bracket matches, started off with young and hungry OG and battle-tested Gaimin Gladiators. It will be tough to see teams go home, but such is the way of life in the Lower Bracket. Both teams put up a valiant effort refusing to go home without a fight. OG’s aggressiveness and unpredictable play style proved to be effective against Gaimin Gladiators. Despite their heroic efforts, Gaimin Gladiators will go home after losing to OG in three games.
The battle of Western Europe, Team Liquid versus Entity, is the last match of day 3. It is exceedingly hard to send your fellow representative home, but these teams have no choice but to win and survive for another day. Their resolve can be seen in their games with Team Liquid’s Matumbaman in his final TI before retirement. Refusing to go down without a fight, Team Liquid showed their grittiness throughout the series. Team Liquid won and sent Entity home after a grueling three-game series.
