NAVI vs. EDG Masters Tokyo 2023: EDward Gaming dumps NAVI out of Masters Tokyo

It's NAVI vs. EDG in the first elimination match of Group A at Masters Tokyo. NAVI will be looking to get themselves back on track in the quest to lock up a spot at Champions 2023 following FUT's win over ASE. This is a game with plenty on the line and we will be here to cover all of the action as it happens.

Natus Vincere are looking to right the wrongs against EDward Gaming in the first elimination match of Group B. After falling below expectations in their 2 - 1 loss to NRG in their opening match of Masters, the doubts plaguing this squad continue to be an ever-present topic of discussion. Though they should still be favoured in their match today, their opponents have shown themselves more than capable of making things difficult for the bigger teams in this group. They hold their Masters and Champions 2023 fates in their hands at the moment, but whether that will serve as motivation for them to succeed remains to be seen.

EDward Gaming looked very impressive in their opening match of Masters Tokyo. Despite losing 2 - 1 to T1, they were able to push their opponents all the way to the brink, Looking just as dangerous as they were at LOCK//IN. They stand as China's last hope of success here in Tokyo following Attacking Soul Esports' exit at the hands of FUT. And while they will be seen as the underdogs today, they will likely making this a testing affair for their opponents nonetheless.

The match kicks off with a trip to Pearl, curtesy of NAVI. Both teams go for radically different compositions as NAVI elect to go with the same double initiator setup they used against NRG. Meanwhile EDG opt to go with the super meta double controller team composition

EDward Gaming take the first pistol round as well as their anti-eco to open up their attack side. An early ace from Smoggy give EDG the bonus before NAVI strikes back in the first rifle round of the map. EDG nevertheless continue to capitalize on their strong start as their lead grows to 5 - 1. But the Chinese side are made to pay for a couple of fumbles as NAVI claw their way back into the half. EDG are able to take a narrow 7 - 5 lead, thanks in part to some extraordinary Operator plays from ZmjjKK. But the momentum is leaning more towards NAVI after the first half of play.

NAVI takes the second pistol round on Pearl as well as their anti-eco to tie the map up at 7 - 7. A timely 4k from Smoggy allows EDG to regain the lead for a moment, but a late lurk from Shao keeps the game level. NAVI crosses the double-digit mark having established a thorough chokehold on the map. NAVI reach map point thanks to a heroic post-plant defense from Suygetsu. But Smoggy responds with some hero plays of his own as EDG continue to cling to the possibility of Overtime. And they end up getting their wish as Haodong and Smoggy pull off a miracle 2 v 4 retake to the map up to send us into OT.

Overtime continues to be as scrappy as the final rounds of regulation for both sides. Haodong dons the cape again for EDG as he pulls of a 1 v 2 clutch to put them on map point. But NAVI cobble up a strong response to send us into a second set of OT rounds. Chichoo puts his side back onto map point despite the individual efforts from cNed. Yet they are denied once more by a strong setup from NAVI on their attack.

The EMEA side get themselves onto map point in the third set of OT rounds. But this time it is EDG who manage to stabilize on their defence curtesy of a 4k from ZmjjKK. The Chinese side squeak through on their attack to start the fourth set of OT rounds as they once again find themselves on map point. And with the help of his immense Op skills, EDG finally manage to cross the finish line to take Pearl 17 - 15 and a hard-fought 1 - 0 lead in the series.

After a gruelling win on Pearl, EDward Gaming bring us over to Bind for Map 2 of this series. And the Chinese side elects to go with the double-initiator, double-controller composition that has often been used by T1 in the past. Whereas we see an interesting change in the roles come in for the side of NAVI as Ange1 selects to use Kayo leaving Shao to play Brim.

EDG take the first pistol round of the map through a 1v1 clutch from Smoggy. They also manage to take their anti-eco and bonus rounds to give themselves an early 3 - 0 lead. NAVI get themselves on the board but EDG trade it out curtesy of a huge 1 v 3 clutch from Chichoo in his Viper's Pit. The map descends into another scrappy affair, with EDG still holding a slight lead in this map. But NAVI, who had been gradually building their way back into this game, are able to tie the map up at 6 - 6 heading into their attack half.

EDG claim the second pistol round but NAVI responds with an eco round to keep the teams locked together. But two big clutch plays from Zmjjkk allows EDG to pull the lead back in their favor at 9 - 8. Ange1 is able to tie the map up for NAVI only for EDG to pull off a terrific thrifty win; allowing them to break the 10 point mark. The scrap continues, but two huge plays from EDG's IGL Haodong gets the Chinese team up to match point in this series and putting NAVI in a real bind. Yet just when it seems like it might be curtains for them, NAVI dig deep within themselves to force the game into Overtime for the second map in a row.

EDG take the first round of Overtime to put themselves on match point for the second time on Bind. But unlike on Pearl, the Chinese side are able to hold their nerve with the odds in their favor. And though NAVI had done well to send the game into OT, they ultimately were unable to put together the finishing touches. Leaving EDward Gaming to take Bind 14 - 12 to secure a 2 - 0 victory over NAVI. Sending the EMEA side home to compete in the LCQ and give Chinese Valorant their first win at an international VCT tournament.

VCT Masters Tokyo is here at long last. Ten teams representing each of the three leagues, as well as two invited teams from China, are set to battle it out in Japan for a chance at Masters glory. All of the matches will be streamed live from the Tipstar Dome Chiba on the VALORANT Twitch and YouTube channels. Those of you who wish to watch the NAVI vs EDG match at Masters Tokyo may do so by clicking the links above or by tuning into our embedded live stream window down below.

Check out our VCT Masters Tokyo results article for all of the latest information regarding this tournament.

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