No[o]ne- will step into the Southeast Asian region to play for Team SMG at the TI12 Regional Qualifiers.

The TI12 roster shuffle period is going to an end and Team SMG fortunately didn't forget to update their roster. But that's not the only exciting news. We will see the merge of two worlds with Team SMG registering No[o]ne-, on the Dota Major Registration page. The five-time Major winner will assume the midlane position - his previous role - in his new team.

Here is the complete roster of Team SMG ahead of the TI12 SEA Qualifier:

  • Yeik "MidOne" Nai Zheng
  • Volodymyr "No[o]ne-" Minenko
  • Natthaphon "Masaros" Ouanphakdee
  • Tue "ah fu" Soon Chuan
  • Jaunuel "Jaunuel" Arcilla

Team SMG x No[o]ne - Can they deliver?

Since removing their midlaner, Kam "Moon" Boon Seng, Team SMG has been under the radar. Time was ticking and there was an empty slot in the team. However, the community noticed that No[o]ne- had been spamming mid heroes in SEA pubs. The connections were made and indeed, Team SMG confirms that No[o]ne is their new midlaner.

No[o]ne has been spamming mid heroes in pubs.<br>Screenshot from <a href="https://dota2protracker.com/player/Noone#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Dota Pro Tracker</a>
No[o]ne has been spamming mid heroes in pubs.
Screenshot from Dota Pro Tracker

In a last-ditch effort, SMG acquired the prominent Eastern European (EEU) veteran, No[o]ne-, who last played for Old G in Western Europe (WEU). This is the first time No[one]- will play competitively in the SEA region.

This move is definitely a surprise, but there has been a pattern of players hopping regions this season. The most recent cases are Taiga and K1 who switched to North America ahead of the TI12 Qualifiers.

On paper, Team SMG appears like a strong threat in the region. They are headlined by experienced veterans who not only competed at the top but also won multiple championships. Both MidOne and No[o]ne- are Major champions, meanwhile Ah fu placed top 3 at TI7 with LFY.

No[o]ne-'s set of achievements includes a five-time Major victory with Virtus.pro.
No[o]ne-'s set of achievements includes a five-time Major victory with Virtus.pro.

Nonetheless, we can't help but wonder what Team SMG's chemistry is going to look like. Not only is the team formed last minute, but No[o]ne- will need to re-adjust his role and find his prowess back in the midlane. On top of that, MidOne is also switching his role again, now moving to the carry position.

TI12 Qualifier begins soon

All Southeast Asian teams in the TI12 Regional Qualifier.<br>Image via <a href="https://liquipedia.net/dota2/The_International/2023/Southeast_Asia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Liquipedia</a>
All Southeast Asian teams in the TI12 Regional Qualifier.
Image via Liquipedia

Southeast Asia will have its TI12 Qualifier on August 27 until August 31. Team SMG has to face an intimidating lineup of opponents including Bleed Esports, Execration, and Blacklist Rivalry.

Check out the details of TI12 Regional Qualifiers for all regions here.

Stay tuned to Esports.gg for more Dota 2 news and updates.