Team Zero, China’s second seed team in The International 2024 (TI13), experienced a disappointing exit as they were eliminated by Eastern European representative 1w Team in the lower bracket on Sep. 9, suffering a 2-0 defeat.
The first game saw Zero struggling against Aleksandr “Cloud” Zakharov’s Beastmaster, while in the second game, Nikita “Munkushi~” Chepurnykh’s exceptional performance on Windranger sealed the deal for 1w Team.
Image Credit: Valve
With this defeat, Team Zero finished in 13th-16th place, earning an estimated $40,000 from the TI13 prize pool, which is 1.5% of the total amount.
During their journey, the spotlight was on Remus “ponlo” Goh Zhi Xian, the Singaporean four-position player on the team. Ponlo’s engaging post-game interviews, social media presence, and infectious personality have endeared him to fans once again, with his exit interview being particularly praised for showcasing his character.
Ponlo also gained attention for embracing the “bald buff” superstition by shaving his head before The International 2024, although this charm did not bring luck to his team.
Over the past two years, Ponlo has risen to prominence in the competitive scene, moving from various teams in Southeast Asia to international squads like Alliance and now Team Zero in China.
Known for his selfless play and innovative strategies, Ponlo has been a bright spot in Team Zero’s otherwise disappointing performance. With the resurgence of Chinese Dota and the inclusion of talented players like Ponlo from Southeast Asia, teams like G2 x iG are showcasing limitless potential.
1w Team, who ended Team Zero’s run, faced a similar fate as they were defeated and eliminated by Team Falcons in the following game.
