Wong “Chawy” Xing Lei, head coach of the CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO), is navigating high expectations as his team prepares for the World Championship in 2025. With the support of the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) fans, CFO aims to secure a top-four finish. The team enters the Swiss Stage, a crucial component of the tournament, which emphasizes best-of-one matches.
CFO’s Strategy and Challenges
In an interview, Chawy expressed excitement and nervousness about the upcoming matches. CFO faces challenges due to the best-of-one format, which they believe is not their strongest suit. Chawy highlighted the need for careful planning regarding their toplaners, as matchups will determine player selection.
Expectations from Fans
Chawy noted that many fans view a finish outside the top eight as disappointing. “We have performed well this year, so expectations are high,” he stated. Despite the pressure, he emphasized the importance of enjoying the tournament.
Competition Insights
The team has struggled against strong competitors from the League of Legends Korea (LCK) and League of Legends Pro League (LPL), with Chawy reporting a 0% win rate in recent scrims. He acknowledged that best-of-one formats focus more on individual mechanics rather than strategy, posing a significant challenge for CFO.
The Atmosphere Within the Team
Chawy values the camaraderie within the CFO team. He believes their unique atmosphere contributes to their performance. “We enjoy each other’s company, which is something very rare,” he said, indicating a strong team dynamic.
LCP’s Rise in Global Rankings
The LCP region has recently been recognized as a top contender, surpassing the League of Legends Master (LTA) and League of Legends European Championship (LEC) in Riot’s power rankings. Chawy feels the LCP is competitive but does not claim a definitive edge over other regions.
He pointed to FlyQuest as a standout Western team, noting their consistency in performances over the past two years. Meanwhile, other LCP teams like Team Secret Whales and PSG Talon are also expected to perform well in the tournament.
Looking Forward
Chawy remains hopeful for CFO’s future. He expressed a desire to continue working with the current roster, emphasizing the enjoyment of the game as a priority. The pressure leading up to Worlds is palpable, but the focus remains on performing well and making fans proud.
As the team prepares for the challenges ahead, CFO is determined to achieve their goal of finishing in the top four, while also aiming to entertain and inspire their fans at El-Balad.
