Sofm after play-ins exit: “We had absolutely no laning advantage against KC”

Sofm, first of all, congratulations to you and your team. It was really fun to watch you play in these play-ins and to see you stay true to your identity, with all those spicy picks and that aggressive playstyle. Was that part of what you wanted to do coming into this tournament?

KC is actually a very tough opponent. After losing the first and second game, we decided we had to do something special. We couldn’t beat them the ordinary way.

Playing very aggressively from the early game, bringing out the Kog’Maw mid: was staying true to your identity as a team one of your goals at these Worlds?

Most people would think Kog'Maw is a weird pick, but from my perspective, it’s a very strong champion if you can get through the laning phase and get some farm.

You seemed much more aggressive against FURIA. Do you think you didn’t play up to your real level against KC, or were their lanes simply too strong to let you take priority and invade the jungle like you did against FURIA?

The problem with KC is that we had absolutely no laning advantage against them. We also didn’t process the information we had on them very well.

What are your thoughts on KC more globally? As the play-ins representative, how do you rate them, and do you think they can do well in this tournament?

They have very good players, but the way they approach their draft and play around the meta is a bit weird.

You only beat FURIA, yet you made it to the play-ins final. Are you proud of your young team?

Feeling proud is how people see us, but personally, I hoped they would achieve more than this.

So you had higher expectations for yourself and for this team?

Yes. When we saw the draw, I knew we would face C9 and/or KC, and both teams have Korean mid and top laners. I was expecting a better performance from my players.

What’s next for you, Sofm? Do you plan to keep coaching next year? How do you see your future?

Honestly, we don’t have many plans for next year yet, other than trying our best to get better every day.

Do you expect this roster to stay together next year, or do you genuinely have no idea what will happen?

It’s a young team full of potential, so it probably won’t be too hard to keep them, but it also depends on what they want.

Do you see yourself coaching in another region someday? Not necessarily next year, but maybe in the LPL, or do you plan to keep going in Vietnam?

When I first made my comeback, I received a lot of invitations from the LPL, either as head coach or even as a player. I haven’t given it much thought, but after this year, I might consider them, just to experiment and try it out.

You also have some unfinished business, after going all the way to the Worlds final. Do you think a Vietnamese team will be able to win Worlds someday?

It seems like we’ll have to do a lot to achieve that.

What do you think of Vietnam’s first seed, Team Secret Whales ? Can they show good things at these Worlds?

Team Secret Whales is super strong in best-of-ones. As long as the draw isn’t too unlucky, I’m placing my faith in them.

Who do you think will come out on top?

I’ve only scrimmed against MKOI and LYON and Team Secret Whales a few times, but for now, I think Team Secret Whales is ahead of them.

Who do you think will win Worlds?

I think for this year, I think LCK is a lot stronger than lpl, so I think I'm in favor of lck.