Doinb and Tian: The “Scapegoats” of Worlds 2021
When talking about FunPlus Phoenix’s failure, two names stand out as the main reasons according to fans: Doinb and Tian. Tian had several questionable plays, even in matches where FPX was leading. Against top junglers like Canyon (DWG KIA), Blaber (Cloud9), and Inspired (Rogue), Tian failed to shine, especially in the last four matches including the tie-break.
As for Doinb, he was expected to carry the team alongside Tian and Nuguri in the top lane, just like he often did during the 2021 LPL Summer Split. But he didn’t live up to those expectations. He struggled to keep up with the meta, sticking to old picks like Galio against LeBlanc or tank Irelia, and got completely outplayed. Even with resources funneled to him, Doinb’s impact was far below what fans hoped for.
One Gets Support, The Other Faces Criticism
Since returning from Worlds 2021, both Tian and Doinb have gone live to talk about the team’s disappointing run. Notably, Tian didn’t apologize but posted a heartfelt message reflecting on his performance, acknowledging his mistakes and asking fans not to discuss his future. Meanwhile, Doinb repeatedly apologized during his stream, admitting he hadn’t practiced Zoe and LeBlanc enough, two strong champions at Worlds this year. He also sent good luck wishes to EDward Gaming ahead of their upcoming final against DK.
However, fan reactions to these two have been completely different. Tian is praised for being realistic and receives words of encouragement, with some asking the community to stop attacking him. On the other hand, Doinb is criticized for seeming fake, not admitting his decline, and some even suggest he should retire.
Is There Bias Among Some LPL Fans?
No true fan wants players to be slammed after a tough season. The players themselves are the most heartbroken and regretful, especially when they’ve given their all.
Still, some LPL fans seem inconsistent in how they treat players, especially Doinb and Tian. Some argue Tian is quieter, more humble, while Doinb was outspoken, boldly claiming after the Worlds group stage first half that he wouldn’t lose another game. We all know how that turned out.
But confidence like Doinb’s was necessary. Without it, you’ve already lost before the match starts. Plus, FPX players carried huge pressure as they were even favored over EDG, the LPL’s top seed. Without Doinb’s morale boosts, things could have been worse.
Another point is that Doinb has long been seen as a player hungry for victory who always carries the team. But at Worlds 2021, he underperformed badly. As the saying goes, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. The heavier criticism toward Doinb compared to Tian comes from fans expecting so much from him. Some even say LPL fans show bias because Tian is a local player while Doinb is Korean.
But in every match, there must be winners and losers. None of Doinb, Tian, Nuguri, Lwx, or Crisp wanted to lose, but the results can’t be changed. After these defeats, the only thing that can help these players bounce back is fan support. Criticism is inevitable but it only adds pressure and could even be the final blow to their careers.
