Team Secret survive in TI9, edging out Mineski in lower bracket

The last Southeast Asian team has been eliminated from The International 2019.

In one of the most exciting series of the tournament thus far, Mineski and Team Secret faced off with their futures on the line. Though Mineski nearly pulled off a colossal upset, Secret stayed strong and managed to take a 2-1 victory.

The first game of the series left the audience and casters in awe. Mineski drafted greedy heroes including Alchemist and Wraith King. Team Secret went in a very different direction, picking micro-heavy heroes including Meepo for Yeik “MidOne” Nai Zheng and Visage for Michał “Nisha” Jankowski.

Kam “Moon” Boon Seng’s Alchemist stomped Team Secret’s lineup early, further amplifying his farm potential. Mineski dragged Team Secret into a bloodbath, winning team fights and knocking over towers. That aggression served them well until a key buyback from MidOne turned a team fight around, resulting in a wipe and massive push from Secret.

While that normally would have been a chance to catch up for Secret, a door to victory was opened after they discovered that Moon did not have buyback.

Team Secret knocked down a tier three and went directly for the throne. Mineski tried to defend but failed. Even though Mineski had a 20,000 net worth advantage just moments earlier, the Dota Pro Circuit’s top seed managed to snatch victory away and start the series 1-0.

Mineski did not let the loss bring them down. The team performed exceptionally in game two, gaining a massive early kill advantage with flawless rotations.

Team Secret was backed against the wall, but they yet again proved to be dangerous in that situation. A crucial team fight broke in Team Secret’s favor and they threatened another comeback. This time, Mineski successfully defended their throne and punished Team Secret for the aggression. That stand allowed them to tie the series and force a deciding game three.

Team Secret seals the deal at TI9

Before the third game, Kaci Aitchison interviewed Team Secret’s coach Lee “SunBhie” Jeong-jae and asked what the mood was inside the pod. SunBhie answered that the team was “angry.”

That anger translated into a powerful showing for Team Secret. The team’s strength was on full display during the third game as they looked for big fights early and got the better of them. Mineski managed to turn the momentum a bit at one point, but Secret was not going to be denied.

After 46 minutes, Mineski tapped out of the game and ended its TI9 journey.

With the loss, Mineski falls into 9th-12th place and takes home over $676,000. Team Secret advances on to face Infamous.