T1 has solidified its position in the 2025 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) by defeating Nongshim RedForce 2-1 on April 16, 2025. This victory marks T1's third win of the season, bringing their record to 3 wins and 2 losses, placing them in a tie for fourth place in the league standings.
The match took place at the LCK Arena in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and showcased intense competition from both teams. T1 fielded 'Smash' Shin Geum-jae as their starting AD carry, while Nongshim featured 'Callux' Seon Hyeon-bin as their mid-laner. The champions selected for the match were also notable, with Shin playing Zeri, Miss Fortune, and Jinx, and Seon playing Azir, Galio, and Ahri.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair, with T1 initially taking the lead. T1's 'Faker' Lee Sang-hyeok, playing Taliyah, led the charge early on, but the tides turned when Nongshim managed to secure a Baron buff around the 26-minute mark. Despite this setback, T1 minimized losses during critical moments and struck back decisively. At 33 minutes, when Nongshim attempted to secure a second Baron, T1 executed a perfect counterattack, achieving an ace and sealing the first set victory.
However, Nongshim bounced back in the second set, leveraging their momentum. 'KingKong' Hwang Seong-hoon played a pivotal role with his choice of Sylas, securing early kills against T1's 'Doran' Choi Hyeon-joon, who was playing Nar. Nongshim's aggressive playstyle paid off as they dominated the early game, taking down objectives and securing a Baron buff by the 25-minute mark. They continued to apply pressure, ultimately destroying T1's Nexus and tying the match at one set apiece.
With the score tied, the third set unfolded with both teams showing strategic prowess. T1 selected a composition featuring Tahm Kench, which proved effective against Nongshim's aggressive strategy. At the 17-minute mark, T1 won a crucial fight at the Rift Herald, gaining significant advantages. Following this, they maintained control of the game, pushing their gold lead to over 4,000 by the 26-minute mark.
In a decisive Baron fight, T1 emerged victorious again, solidifying their dominance in the match. They capitalized on their lead, systematically dismantling Nongshim's defenses and ultimately destroying their Nexus at the 34-minute mark, securing a 2-1 victory.
This match not only showcased T1's resilience and adaptability but also highlighted the strategic depth present in the current LCK season. T1's performance, particularly from key players like 'Faker' and 'Smash,' has set the stage for an exciting remainder of the season. As the competition heats up, fans can expect more thrilling matches in the weeks to come.
