On September 21, Match 1 of the Google Play ASL Season 22 quarterfinals took place at the FreecUP Studio in Daechi-dong, Seoul, featuring a best-of-five series between Lee Young-han and Yoo Young-jin. Yoo Young-jin mounted a dramatic reverse sweep against "Typhoon Zerg" Lee Young-han to secure his place in the semifinals.
Perhaps due to the long rush distance on the map, Lee Young-han was forced into an extremely impoverished early game after facing a standard Barracks double bunkering—rather than an 8-Barracks rush—which forced him to build early Sunken Colonies and produce a large number of Zerglings. After catching up by continually producing Drones, Lee Young-han attempted minor harass with Mutalisks while securing his 5 o'clock expansion. Operating on three geysers, he produced purely Mutalisks, picked off Yoo Young-jin's advancing bionic force, and overran the Terran Barracks with a massive flock of Mutalisks to claim Game 1.
In Game 2, Lee Young-han prepared a Mutalisk all-in similar to Game 1. However, this was an even leaner two-gas strategy, balanced by a faster and sharper timing. Yoo Young-jin, meanwhile, took a standard natural expansion before adding Barracks to prepare his bionic composition, but he suffered continuous damage from Lee Young-han's Mutalisks. As damage accumulated, his Barracks were overrun once again, resulting in a loss. Failing to construct enough Missile Turrets proved to be his downfall.
Lee Young-han stubbornly attempted a Mutalisk all-in once again in Game 3. Yoo Young-jin, already down 0-2, doubled down on defense, focusing entirely on Missile Turret count, placement, and Marine-Medic movements dedicated solely to defense. By cleanly repelling the Mutalisk assault, he seized momentum and claimed his first win of the series.
For Game 4, Lee Young-han selected Aiolos as the map. Yoo Young-jin opted for a stable start by walling off his main choke and taking an in-base back Command Center, while Lee Young-han prepared a 1-Hatchery Lair into Lurker all-in. Having scouted the fast Lair, Yoo Young-jin was well-prepared to hold as long as he stayed vigilant. The attack held no surprises; it was a straightforward all-in, and Yoo Young-jin defended his front with three Bunkers while guarding against a close-range 3cm drop, bringing the series to a 2-2 tie.
Tied 2-2 heading into Game 5, Lee Young-han committed heavily to Mutalisks once more. Having completely mastered the defensive pattern, Yoo Young-jin had no intention of pushing out with his Marine-Medic forces early on. He navigated the initial critical timing window safely, while Lee Young-han desperately tried to create openings to harass the Terran natural expansion. Ultimately, Yoo Young-jin stood resolute, holding off the onslaught to complete the reverse sweep and advance to the semifinals.
