Taiwan's "Pokémon Rally" team lost to Japan in the top 8 of the Nagoya Asian Games and missed the top 4

Liu Xiang. (File photo)

[Special Correspondent Nian Miaoyun/Nagoya Report] "Pokémon Gathering" faced a strong Japanese opponent in the top 8 of the Asian Games in Nagoya today. After a fierce battle, they finally lost 0:2 and missed the top four.

This year's Nagoya Asian Games lists "Pokémon Gathering" as an official competition event for the first time. The domestic team is dominated by the top team Relove DCG and recruits experts to actively prepare for the competition. This time, they were led by Taiwanese-American mixed race player Liu Xiang, and teamed up with Qin Yongqi, Guo Yishuo, Hu Xinrui, Chen Yitian and Liu Tingyi. They defeated Malaysia and Kazakhstan in the preliminaries, but unfortunately lost to the Philippines and advanced to second place in the group.

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However, after entering the top 8, they met the strongest Japan. After a hard-fought battle, they still lost 0:2. After the game, both coaches and players could not conceal their disappointment. Two-time world champion Liu Xiang blamed himself for failing to step up and be the best support for his teammates.

Liu Xiang admitted that this was the game he had most wanted to win all year long but failed to bear fruit as he wished. "It feels really bad." However, he emphasized that the team's hard work and cohesion along the way were obvious to all.

Although he was stopped in the top 8 this time and has no chance to add to the Taiwanese team's medal list, Liu Xiang still has high expectations and vision for the future development of Taiwan's e-sports. He said: "I believe that "Pokémon Rally" has a future on the international stage, and may even have the opportunity to become an official Olympic event in the future."