Lee Jae-ho defeated Kim Jung-woo 3-1 in Match 2 of the Google Play ASL Season 22 quarterfinals, held at the FreecUP Studio in Daechi-dong, Seoul, on September 22, securing his second consecutive semifinal appearance.
In Set 1 on Odyssey, the map featured a unique layout with mineral placement in the main base resembling a fast infinite map. Kim Jung-woo capitalized on this by minimizing Drone production to prepare a Hydralisk rush. Timing the moment when Lee Jae-ho's Marine and Medic force moved out, Kim flanked with Hydralisks and Zerglings to strike the Terran natural expansion, while holding off Lee's Bionic attack with Sunken Colonies to claim game one.
In Set 2 on Backrooms, Kim prepared a standard Mutalisk strategy, while Lee opted for a build that walled off his entrance and heavily emphasized Bionic off 4 Barracks. Seizing the center of the map with a large Bionic force, Lee delayed Zerg's third gas expansion, but Kim inflicted damage on the Terran natural expansion with his Mutalisks. Although Kim constructed numerous Sunken Colonies at his natural expansion and took a very late third gas expansion, he dealt significant damage in return with his Mutalisks.
Kim eventually secured his 5 o'clock third gas expansion safely, while Lee built 2 Starports to transition into an SK Terran composition. As Zerg assembled a force of Hydralisks, Zerglings, Lurkers, and Defilers, keeping Science Vessels alive became the single most critical factor for Terran. Keeping his Science Vessels alive, Lee took additional expansions, added Factories, and incorporated Siege Tanks. Although his expansions suffered damage from enemy forces, Lee harassed the 5 o'clock base with Dropships and decisively broke through the 5 o'clock line with his main army, leveling the series at 1-1.
In Set 3, Lee opened with a Barracks Double, while Kim produced Mutalisks and quickly took his 5 o'clock third gas expansion. Upgrading Mutalisk attack power and delaying Lurkers slightly, Kim produced a massive number of Mutalisks instead. Lee controlled the center with his Bionic army while producing Valkyries and Science Vessels. As both players built up their strength into the mid-game, Zerg opted for Hydralisks, Zerglings, Lurkers, and Defilers rather than Ultralisks.
Terran held the initiative. With Science Vessels and Bionic forces constantly on the move, Lee gained continuous advantages through his Vessels while stably running a four-gas economy. He then produced a large number of Tanks to apply heavy pressure. Completely dominating the army engagements, Lee denied Zerg any additional expansions and employed a suffocating macro style to take a 2-1 lead.
Set 4 on Octagon followed a similar pattern. Lee opted for a standard Barracks Double, while Kim went for a natural expansion followed by Mutalisks. As the match naturally transitioned into a macro battle, Lee proved formidable. Capitalizing on a timing window before Kim could produce a large number of Lurkers, Lee overpowered his opponent earlier than expected to defeat Kim Jung-woo 3-1 and advance to the semifinals.
