Hanwha Life Esports Cruises Past Nongshim RedForce 2-0: Zeka’s Pentakill and Team Synergy Shine

Set 1: Aggressive Bot Lane and Early Control

Did you see how Hanwha Life Esports set the tone from the very start? Lehends’ Elise landed a crucial Cocoon on Viper’s Draven near the tower, sparking a skirmish that HLE turned in their favor with Peanut’s Xin Zhao joining in. This led to early kills on Nongshim’s Kalista and Elise, giving HLE a clear advantage. Nongshim tried to answer with jungle skirmishes and a top lane collapse on Xin Zhao, but Viper’s Draven responded with a highlight-reel ultimate, catching Jayce at the fountain. HLE’s bot lane continued to pressure, stacking dragons with Rakan-Rumble combos, and gradually widened the gold gap. The set’s climax came as Zeka’s Azir scored a pentakill near Baron, sealing the win and electrifying the crowd.

Set 2: Draft Versatility and Objective Domination

In game two, HLE showcased their adaptability with picks like Anivia and Skarner. Early on, Peanut’s Skarner and Dudu’s Jax executed a successful bot lane gank, taking down Nongshim’s Ashe. Nongshim managed some even trades in skirmishes, but HLE’s superior macro and objective control saw their gold lead balloon to 4,000 by the 15-minute mark. Despite a few slip-ups, HLE never lost composure, securing every major objective—including dragon soul and Baron. Zeka’s mid lane presence and Viper’s positioning ensured HLE’s dominance as they calmly closed out the series.

Key Players: Zeka’s Azir and HLE’s Cohesion

Zeka was the star, landing a pentakill on Azir and constantly threatening in teamfights. Viper’s Draven was lethal, Lehends delivered clutch support plays, and Peanut’s proactive jungling kept Nongshim on the back foot. Dudu’s flexibility in the top lane gave HLE a draft edge, allowing them to adapt to any situation. The synergy across all roles made HLE look nearly flawless.

Fan Reactions: Praise for HLE’s Calm and Versatility

Korean esports communities on DCInside and Inven were full of praise for HLE’s composure and adaptability. Fans highlighted Zeka’s pentakill as the moment of the match and lauded the team’s ability to play both standard and creative compositions. Comments like “HLE is unstoppable when they play their style” and “Zeka’s Azir is a monster” dominated the boards. The overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive, with fans excited about HLE’s growth and consistency.

Interviews: Growth Mindset and Team-First Attitude

After the match, Zeka expressed pride in the clean 2-0 win, admitting he expected a tougher fight. He shared his preference for high-difficulty, high-impact champions and his desire to be a top laner who can handle any role. Zeka emphasized the importance of reading the game, psychological resilience, and adapting to the team’s needs. He credited HLE’s preparation and promised fans continued improvement and more victories.

Team and Player Issues: HLE’s Flexibility, Nongshim’s Struggles

HLE’s reputation for solid, textbook play was on full display, but Zeka clarified that the team can handle any composition, not just standard ones. Nongshim struggled to keep up with HLE’s tempo and adaptability, falling behind in both skirmishes and objectives. Analysts noted that while Nongshim showed flashes of promise, they were ultimately outclassed by HLE’s superior coordination and execution.