The opening map, Train, chosen by ENCE, saw Falcons struggle initially as their opponents took an early lead. The Saudi Arabian team, however, found their footing thanks to strong contributions from NiKo and TeSeS, equalizing the score by the time the game reached half-time. They continued securing consecutive rounds until ENCE managed to regain momentum, almost securing a win with a 12-9 lead. However, their efforts fell short as Falcons managed to push the match into overtime and dominate the extra rounds, closing the map with a hard-fought 16-12 victory.
On Dust2, Falcons’ pick, the team started strong, quickly building a 5-0 lead before ENCE secured their first round. Despite this initial blow, ENCE managed to stabilize their defence and equalize the score, making the first half a tightly contested affair. Falcons managed to pull ahead with a slim advantage heading into the second half with a 7-5 lead. On their T-side, ENCE rallied with a series of well-coordinated plays, putting Falcons under pressure and gaining an 11-8 lead akin to the previous match. Yet, the Falcons once again succeeded in forcing the match into yet another overtime. ENCE won the first round of overtime, but were unable to break the composure displayed by Falcons, who won the next four rounds, sealing the map and the series with a 16-14 victory.
This victory highlights the potential of the newly formed Falcons roster, as they overcame unexpected challenges to deliver a win against a stronger opponent. The addition of the CS2 veteran NiKo, who had recently joined the team after leaving G2 Esports, has already shown the immense value he brings to the team.
What did ENCE players say?
ENCE player Ryan “Neityu” Aubry took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the loss, stating “Really close game, lost it on small mistakes that we are gonna fix for the next games, see you on upcoming tournaments for better!”
Other ENCE players also attributed their loss to “small mistakes”. This holds true for both teams, especially on Train, which is a relatively new face in the map pool.