Sentinels suffered a tough loss against Team Liquid, falling 2-1 in the series. The third map, Bind, saw Team Liquid secure a decisive 13-1 victory, with Nats delivering a stellar performance. He finished the match with an astonishing 25-8 K/D ratio and a 455 ACS, making it nearly impossible for Sentinels to find any footing. Before diving into Bind, it’s worth noting some chaotic moments from Abyss that saw Sentinels caught in awkward situations, including a failed execute where players body-blocked each other.
Early Game: Sentinels Show Promise but Fall Short
The game on Bind started with some competitive rounds, but cracks quickly began to show. In round four, Sentinels attempted a B-split push, gathering key information despite their drone being destroyed by a Brimstone molly. However, their execution faltered. Nats capitalized on their mistakes, positioning himself well to punish them with precise shots, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Sentinels often found themselves in advantageous situations, such as in round four when they held a 3v2 lead. However, Nats consistently found ways to disrupt their setups, capitalizing on small errors to shift the momentum in Team Liquid’s favor. Sentinels’ inability to properly execute post-plant situations and handle Team Liquid’s counter-plays left them scrambling for answers.
The Downward Spiral: Tactical Missteps and Costly Errors
By round six, Sentinels’ decision-making started to raise concerns. Facing a Viper’s Pit from Nats, they opted for a quick showers push, a common response. However, they failed to utilize their own Viper’s Pit properly, leaving themselves vulnerable. While their initial execute worked well, putting them in a 4v3 advantage, their post-plant positioning quickly fell apart. Instead of securing crossfires and covering key angles, Sentinels left themselves open, leading to a costly round loss.
Round seven showcased one of Sentinels’ most egregious mistakes. With a 4v2 lead, they attempted to rotate back to A, using flashes and a drone to clear potential threats. Despite detecting an enemy, they failed to properly hold the site, allowing Nats to win four consecutive 1v1s and clutch the round. This lack of coordination and awareness proved disastrous, allowing Team Liquid to maintain control.
Continued Collapse and Team Liquid’s Dominance
In round ten, Sentinels struggled against a simple yet effective defensive strategy by Nats. He consistently mirrored Viper utility usage with Sentinels, ensuring that his fuel reserves remained optimal. This mind game completely shut down Sentinels’ approach, leading to yet another failed execute. Once again, Nats’ positioning and precise shooting dismantled their attack.
The trend of promising starts followed by disastrous finishes continued throughout the map. Even when Sentinels managed to gain an advantage, they frequently squandered it. Poor post-plant decision-making, lack of proper coverage, and miscommunication allowed Team Liquid to capitalize time and time again.
Sentinels’ Frustrating Execution Errors
One of the defining moments of the match was Sentinels’ failure to adapt. When facing a strong defensive hold, they repeatedly defaulted to questionable plays instead of adjusting their strategy. In one round, they rushed into a smoke without proper utility support, losing their duelist in the process. In another instance, they hesitated with their Viper’s Pit placement, giving Team Liquid opportunities to exploit their mistakes.
Even in rounds where Sentinels had an advantage, they often overcommitted or made poor rotations. A clear example was a round where they had a 5v4 lead and a seemingly open B-site. Instead of securing post-plant positions, they overextended, leading to unnecessary deaths. This lack of discipline ultimately sealed their fate.
