NEO on potentially winning the Major: "Third time's the charm"
After kicking off Stage 2 with a 2-0 record, FaZe avoided embarrassment by advancing to Stage 3 with a 3-2 record by beating MIBR 2-0 on the final day.
After the game, we caught up with FaZe's coach, NEO, to discuss the win and what FaZe will need to go even further in the competition.
"Right now, we're just happy to win and qualify for the next Stage"
You've qualified for stage 3 now, MIBR were really pushing you to the limit on map two, how are you feeling?
I feel great, we've made it. It's still the first Stage for us, there's a long road ahead and we've been working really hard, but I'm very happy to see the guys play so good.
We lost some unfortunate rounds on Ancient and if that didn't happen it would've been a really solid score for us, so I'm just happy that we can still show the great CS we showed on the first day.
Do you think the fact this is still the first time this five has planned a LAN together is the reason why you've lost maps and games here and there?
Yeah, for sure. We're playing with s1mple who has had a break, and we've been working at a bootcamp to find our game, but I think a lot of how we perform comes down to the vibes and the mood and how we approach the game, how we take the losses.
So yeah, it definitely play a factor, but there's so much experience on this lineup and they all know what has to be done when the game begins.
The pieces are starting to fit together now, EliGE and frozen are both picking up some personal form, will they be key factors if you're to continue advancing in the event?
Yeah, and I believe that's what happens in CS, when everyone is working and contributing, the individuals start shining and we can see more of those situations here. Each one of them has had crazy, important rounds, clutches and multi-kills, that's always nice to see happening in a game.
With a lineup like this, the expectation is presumably to make it to the arena, is that the case?
For sure, getting to the playoffs is always the minimum, and it feels like when we hit our A game we can be unstoppable, but you know, it's CS, it can always go both ways. Right now, we're just happy to win and qualify for the next Stage.
You personally came very close to winning an NA Major back at ELEAGUE Atlanta in 2017, does it feel like you have unfinished business here?
[laughs] I'm not sure, that was almost ten years ago now, so it's already int he past. It comes back sometimes, because we lost it in an unfashionable way, had a huge advantage and it should've been ours, but it's a different part of my life, coaching is different emotions.
So far as a coach, though, I've lost two Major finals, so it would be nice to break the curse and have the third time be the charm, but we'll see.
