Four-time ASL champion Kim "The Iron Wall" Min-chul has successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.
On September 14, at FreecUP Studio in Daechi-dong, Seoul, Kim Min-chul lost his opening match against Cho Il-jang in Group C of the Round of 16 in Google Play ASL Season 22. However, he defeated Jung Young-jae in the losers' match and took down Cho Il-jang in a rematch in the final match, advancing to the quarterfinals as the second-place finisher in Group C. Although he suffered a brief slump after being eliminated in the Round of 24 last season, he showed a return to form by reaching the quarterfinals this season.
Q. How do you feel about advancing to the quarterfinals in second place?
I'm happy to reach the quarterfinals after a long time. I was worried because my form had dropped, but I'm glad the result turned out well.
Q. You fell to the losers' match after losing the first game.
I made many micro mistakes, which caused me to lose the first match. If I had stayed calm, I think I definitely could have won.
Q. Your decisiveness stood out in the losers' match.
I had originally prepared a lot against Lee Jae-ho. When I met Jung Young-jae in the losers' match, I went for a bit of an all-in playstyle. It didn't work out great, but I think I managed to overcome it through macro play.
Q. You faced Cho Il-jang again in the final match and won. What was different from the previous match?
I had won the Mutalisk micro battles in the first match. Because I was confident in my micro, I played with confidence.
Q. Do you think today's ZvZ win will be a big help going forward?
With today's win, my win rate in ZvZ will probably reach 50%. Next time I face a ZvZ match, I feel it will be 50-50. Personally, I'm confident, so I want to show that my ZvZ isn't weak.
Q. Any final words?
Using today as momentum, I will show a great performance in the quarterfinals and challenge for a fifth championship title.
