The Republic Polytechnic school in Singapore played host this past weekend to the most recent KODE5 national qualifier for Counter-Strike 1.6, that of the Southeast Asia region. With teams hailing from several countries, including familiar names such as Lunatic-Hai.Razer from South Korea and XCN from Indonesia, the event had its share of surprises and close matches, culminating in a hard-fought 16-14 victory in the third and final map of the grand finals for Singapore's own xqR.AG. The victory ensures the team's place at the Global Finals to be held next year.

The grand finals was a rematch from an earlier group stage match, which Lunatic-Hai had won 16-6. The new match was not without incident, as it appeared at first that Lunatic-Hai would roll over the locals after a decisive 16-8 victory on the first map, de_nuke. The tables were turned, however, when the second map, de_dust2, was awarded to xqR.AG by disqualification after Lunatic-Hai used a silent plant. After dropping the first half of the third map (de_inferno) by the narrowest of margins, 7-8, xqR.AG rallied to take the second half by a 9-6 score and the overall 16-14 victory.

In all, 32 teams were scheduled to participate at the event. Indonesia's XCN took third place after defeating Feel the Pain two maps to zero in the consolation match. The final standings were as follows:

1st xqR.AG - Airfare and accommodation for KODE5 Global Finals
2nd Lunatic-Hai.Razer
3rd XCN
4th Feel the Pain
5-8th MoW
5-8th Don't Look Back
5-8th RageFaction
5-8th Team[LZ]

Grand Finals


Semi-Finals