VCTCN: SpiritZ1's fiery performance secures four kills, DRG defeats EDG 2-0 to advance to the top six.

In the first round of the 2025 VCTCN second stage playoffs, DRG defeated EDG 2-0 to advance to the top six.

Image 1: Lianhua Ancient City

Attackers EDG: Vess, Reiz, Shadow, Yelu, Black Dream

Defenders DRG: Zero, Neon, Iron Arm, Yelu, Shadow

As the first half commenced, with Kankan achieving the milestone of 2000 kills, EDG made the first score by winning the pistol round. EDG started with a quick four-win streak, prompting DRG to call for a timeout, which proved effective. In the fifth round, EDG's offense accelerated, quickly taking down SpiritZ1's Phantom and planting the spike. DRG's Nicc, using his ultimate, held the point, while EDG was trapped outside the smoke, leading to DRG's strong retake. DRG found their rhythm, focusing on the SpiritZ1 Yelu strategy, and scored three consecutive points. In the eighth round, Kankan's Justice penetrated the AB site, helping the team get inside, while Jieni7 and Smoggy secured the site. In the tenth round, Jieni7 achieved a precise four-kill clutch at A site. At the end of the first half, EDG led 7-5, with both teams in a tight contest, as EDG couldn't extend their lead after gaining an advantage.

In the second half's pistol round, Jieni7 scored a triple kill, followed by Kankan also getting a triple kill at AB, leading EDG to score two consecutive points. In the fifteenth round, Kankan and Jieni7 were caught by DRG's speedy attack at C site, resulting in a quick win for DRG. In the sixteenth round, Akeman executed a rapid four-kill at A site to secure the win for his team. DRG achieved three consecutive wins, and in the eighteenth round, QiuQiu secured the first kill at C site, while Kankan scored a quadruple kill at A site, fending off DRG's attack. DRG scored three more points, and in the twenty-second round, they attacked C site but were denied by EDG, who equalized the score. In the twenty-third round, DRG took control of B site, and SpiritZ1 eliminated QiuQiu to win. In the twenty-fourth round, SpiritZ1's Yelu activated his ultimate to lead the team into C site, but EDG's defense forced DRG back outside the site. Jieni7's decisive play in the smoke extended the match to overtime. In the first round of overtime, DRG scored two points consecutively, and Nicc's clutch in a critical moment sealed the match. DRG won 14-12 at Lianhua Ancient City.

Image 2: Yanhai Mine Town

Defenders EDG: Viper, Neon, Shadow, Yelu, Black Dream

Attackers DRG: Zero, Twilight Butterfly, Geko, Yelu, Shadow

In the first half, DRG won the pistol round. In the fourth round, SpiritZ1 got a four-kill at B site. In the fifth round, during EDG's save round, QiuQiu achieved a triple kill at A site, leading the team to a comeback. EDG scored two consecutive points, prompting DRG to call for a timeout, successfully stabilizing the situation, and SpiritZ1 secured a triple kill in the eighth round. In the ninth round, Kankan eliminated three DRG players at A Small, achieving a four-kill, but DRG failed to check the site after entering and lost to EDG's ambush. After EDG scored two more points, DRG regained control of the match, ending the first half with DRG leading 7-5 over EDG.

In the second half, EDG won the pistol round. In the fifteenth round, both teams traded 2-for-2 at A Large, and after EDG planted the spike at B, they were taken down by Akeman's three kills. After DRG scored two consecutive points, in the seventeenth round, EDG completed a comeback during a save round at A. The match was tightly contested, with EDG equalizing the score at 10. In the twenty-first round, DRG defended calmly, trapping EDG outside B site to win. In the twenty-second round, another intense exchange at B site saw DRG hold firm to reach match point. In the final round, DRG defended the middle and B site decisively, defeating EDG. DRG won 13-10 at Yanhai Mine Town.