Team Secret announce roster changes

The fourth-place team at The International 9 has given details on their roster changes heading into the qualifiers for the second major of the season.

After taking an extended break following TI9, Team Secret has taken the step to remove mid-laner Yeik “Midone” Nai Zheng from the active roster after over three years with the team. Replacing him is former Team Liquid carry/mid and TI7 champion Lasse “Matumbaman” Urpalainen who will be stepping into the carry position whilst Michał “Nisha” Jankowski will move back into the mid lane, where he played back in 2017 for Kinguin.

The team released a statement saying, “MidOne has sacrificed tremendously in order to compete and contribute to our team’s success at the top level of DotA. He has proved an invaluable player and friend along the way, and we could not ask for a better team member.”

MidOne joined Secret back in August 2016 in a surprising move that saw him leave his home region to join the European powerhouse from SEA team Fnatic, winning four majors and earning two top-six finishes at TI8 and TI9.

One of the most beloved figures in Dota 2, Matumbaman joins Secret after a short spell with Chaos E.C where he could only manage a last-place finish at TI9. Before that, he played for Team Liquid for nearly four years, but was kicked from the team controversially just two months before TI9 was to take place.

Known for his micro-skills and for being willing to pick up the sacrificial role for his team, playing heroes who do not require as much farm and that his team can group around. On his playstyle, Secret said ‘Matu is a veteran of the scene, and is known for his unique and invasive hero specialization ‘. He is also known for his last pick cheese heroes such as Broodmother and Lone Druid, who are always worth banning against him as he can completely take over a game with them.

There are also changes in the coaching department with Lee “SunBhie” Jeong-jae who similarly to MidOne, left the SEA region in order to join the team as coach in 2017, departing the team to be replaced by former TNC coach, Lee “Heen” Seung Gon. A former TI winning coach with Team Liquid, Heen comes with a great pedigree, winning two majors and placing second in multiple premier events.

Team Secret will next play in the qualifiers for the Dreamleague season 13 Major in Leipzig, with dates for the qualifiers yet to be announced.