Keen Gaming announces massive roster changes for their Dota2 squad
Keen Gaming have announced a huge roster reshuffle in their Dota2 team amid the departure of four of their players, who opted to leave the Chinese esports organisation this Thursday, April 2.
Keen Gaming's venture into 2019/20 season has been less than impressive, and although the Chinese Dota2 squad has made a few roster changes at the beginning of the season, the new additions to the roster did not bring any notable results.
Shortly after their 13th-16th place placement at The International 2019, Keen Gaming made some big roster changes, which saw the arrival of ex-Geek Fam support Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung, as well as Liu "Kamma" Chang and Jiang "天命" An, who arrived as replacements for the departed Hu "Kaka" Liangzhi, who left for Invictus Gaming and EHOME duo Wang "old chicken" Zhiyong and Ren "eLeVeN" Yangwei, who returned back to their team after their loan expired. In September, Keen Gaming also acquired The International 2011 finalist and former Royal Never Give Up support, Zhang "LaNm" Zhicheng, as their new head coach, in a bid to see more success in their endeavours in the competitive scene.
Even all those additions to the team, however, did not result in any notable achievements. At the end of September, Keen Gaming took a swing at ESL One Hamburg 2019 China Open Qualifier and later in October appeared at MDL Chengdu Major China Closed Qualifier, but without much success, seeing how LaNm's squad ended up eliminated from Hamburg qualifiers in semi-finals, while they failed to even make it out of the groups at MDL Chengdu Major qualifiers.
More roster changes followed, with the arrival of Zhuang "xiaofu" Yongfu, who took over as a support, while 天命 moved to position 5 to replace Mushi, who was moved to an inactive roster.
With a new-look squad, Keen Gaming entered Battle of Dawn and Hainan Master Cup, where they finished seventh-eighth and fifth-eighth respectively. Although Keen Gaming saw more success at World Electronic Sports Games 2019 China – Northern Circuit, where they pocketed the top seed, the Chinese outfit fell flat at World Electronic Sports Games 2019 China Finals, where they finished fifth and later concluded the year with silver at Elite Challenge (S1).
After Keen Gaming pocketed seventh-place finish at China Dota2 Professional League Season 1 at the start of January, LaNm announced his departure for the team and was shortly later replaced by ex-Mineski coach Tang "71" Wenyi. A couple of weeks later, xiafu announced he is leaving for KG.Luminous, while Li "mianmian" Zimeng joined as a trial.
Now, just under two months later, Keen Gaming has unveiled more roster changes, which saw the departure of Liu "Kamma/Freeze" Chang, Song “dark” Runxi, mianmian and 天命.
Kamma/Freeze stepped down from the active roster and is now an inactive member of Keen Gaming, team captain dark announced retirement from the Dota2 competitive scene, while 天命 and mianmian both parted ways with the team, with the former reportedly requesting Keen to list him for transfer.
As their replacements, Keen Gaming signed Tue “ah fu” Soon Chuan from Revive, who will take over for 天命, while the vacant carry position was taken by Yang “Erica” Shaohan, who got promoted from Keen Gaming.Luminous. Dark's former position as offlaner was taken by a young talent Xiao “ss” Yihu, who arrived to Keen Gaming from Team Aster.Aries's as a loanee. The last announced arrival is ex-Serenity support Zhao “Yds” Jiayi, who will take over the former duties of mianmian.
Keen Gaming Dota2 roster is now:
Yang “Erica” Shaohan
Zhai “一” Jingkai
Xiao “ss” Yihu
Zhao “Yds” Jiayi
Tue “ah fu” Soon
Coach: Tang “71” Wenyi – coach
Keen Gaming's debut with a new-look roster will come later this week, on Friday, April 3, at the China Dota2 Professional League Season 2, where Erica and co. will clash with EHOME during Week 1 of the competition. Later this weekend, Keen Gaming will also meet with CDEC Gaming at Dota2 Professional League Season 7, in the opening fixture of the tournament which features US $100,000 in the prize pool and some of the biggest names in the Chinese Dota2 scene, including ViCi Gaming, Team Aster, Invictus Gaming, EHOME, Royal Never Give Up and PSG.LGD, who just recently secured China Dota2 Professional League Season 1 title.
