MOBA PC.Dota 2 – day two at GOTF 2025 sees epic stand-offs and dramatic turnarounds

The first day of MOBA PC.Dota 2 competition at the Games of the Future Abu Dhabi 2025 powered by ADNOC produced a few surprises for both players and fans. The first match jitters played a big part in all the battles but the second action-packed day at Pixoul Abu Dhabi, was a more confident affair with another four matches in the group stage and the same eight teams vying for supremacy. Here’s how it all played out.

These two teams had an unpredictable start to the contest, but both were keen to make up for first-day defeats and claw back some momentum. TpaBoTeam won the match in just over 47 minutes.

For star player, Timur “TpaBoMaH” Khafizov, the result was a much-needed boost following the team’s result in their debut match.
“The mood was definitely better, communication was better, we were more positive and relaxed,” he said after the victory. “Ultimately, we did what we were supposed to do.”

Team Phoenix had a rocky start on day one, but it gave a strong motivation to overview the strategy for the following matches, that have brought a victory for the team in 34 mins.

“We were away from Dota 2 for a long time, but we are trying to get back to our best,” said Team Phoenix’s Sang Don “FoREv” Lee. “Our strategy this time was to cut off their main character, just take him down – and it worked.”

Legends Rebooted’s Yee Fung "Mushi" Chai was determined not to lose faith and keep an optimistic spirit on the following matches. “We’re still going to keep a positive attitude and move forward to the other upcoming games,” he said.

Following strong showings by both teams on their first outings, this was perhaps the most anticipated match-up of day two – tournament favourites Vikings against China-based legends Paper Tigers.

Paper Tigers raced out of the gate and snatched the first game in 57 minutes. But the Vikings persisted and battled hard to win the second match . However, Paper Tigers roared back, seizing the lead again and looked set for victory – until an astonishing performance by the Vikings’ latest star Matin “matson” Jafari Veldani turned the entire match around and handed his team the win.

Speaking after the gripping apogee, Vikings’ veteran Henrik Per Karl “AdmiralBulldog” Ahnberg had no doubt about who deserved the most praise.

“In the first two games, the team really helped me to get around all the different lanes,” he said, “but in the third game I was completely useless, and it was “matson” who totally carried us to the win. He’s new to the team and pretty new to phygital, but he’s a real talent and is absolutely the future of Dota 2.”

After the first day, when Nigma Galaxy faced Legends Rebooted in their debut match, NIgma Galaxy came into this contest full of confidence. But Win aren’t short of attitude either(as proven by the way they practically toyed with Team Phoenix at the end of their straight win on the first day). It may have been Dota 2, but this was always going to be a battle of bravado.

In the end, it was youthful bravado that won the day as the youngest team in the tournament and Win romped home, stunning everyone who reckoned that Nigma Galaxy were nailed on to reach the final. That leaves Win with two-for-two victories and now the only team not to drop a game so far in this tournament.

Perhaps the most incisive comment came the previous day when Team Phoenix’s Sun Yeob “QO” Kim declared that Win were the most dangerous team in the tournament and would be hard to beat. Everyone thought then he was just making excuses for having lost. Looking back, he may actually have made a very shrewd prediction.

With each team having two contests under their belts, tomorrow (Tuesday 16 December) is crunch time for a few names as the group stage draws to a close. TPaBoTeaM, Legends Rebooted, Paper Tigers and Nigma Galaxy will all have to bring their A-game and score a win if they want to claim a place in the semi-finals. Paper Tigers and TpaBoTeam are up first, before Nigma Galaxy faces off against Team Phoenix.

It promises to be a nail-biting finish, and you can watch the action live from 1400hr GST time on tv.gofuture.games, the new streaming hub and digital home for live broadcasts, replays, highlights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content spanning all disciplines at GOTF 2025.