MUFC have demonstrated the ability to take out top Chinese teams at the Dota 2 edition of GEST but how will they fare in DotA here at SMM? GosuGamers talks to captain Raymond 'Sharky' Wong for a brief insight into the team's preparations.
Hi, Sharky! My first question is about you as a person. Put yourself in the shoes of your teammates - how would they describe you?
-"Hello. I feel that they would describe me as a funny friend and teammate."
How about as a player? What would you say are your strengths?
-"In my opinion, a player [such as myself] needs to learn how to stay calm during each match, because a tiny mistake can cost you the game, especially in DotA."
Okay, who is the best DotA/Dota 2 player to emerge from Malaysia then?
-"I'll list a few - Yamateh, Net, xTinct, Ice and Mushi. I don't know why but I guess it's because this exact lineup took down EHOME during their prime."
What needs to be done so that Sharky is one of them?
-"Hmm, if I can execute the heroes that I play perfectly, then I guess I can be considered as one of them."
If you had the power to make anything happen for your team - what would you do for MUFC so that you can take the million dollars at The International next year?
-"I wished I had the ability to get a stable training facility as well as decent salaries for my teammates so that we can practice uninterrupted. Yet, we'll still be able to cope with living expenses and calm the worries of our family members."
DotA in 2013 - where do you think it will exist?
-"Sadly, I think the game will come to its end because Dota 2 is perfect at the moment."
And about MUFC - did the departure of TFG and Silvercross had anything to do with The International?
-"Nope, these two events were unrelated."
Well, hyhy played with MUFC for a brief period of time. Do you know what happened to him?
-"hyhy and I are close friends. If I recall correctly, he did mention that he was starting work at a real job but the details are really fuzzy."
How have preparations for SMM been going for MUFC?
-"We only formally practised DotA after GEST Dota 2 ended."
I see, that's cutting it rather close. How would you like this year's event to be different for you as a player?
-"There was a ton of problems with the computers last year and I hope that this problem will not repeat itself this year.."
iG is rumored to attend SMM (it has since been debunked). How do you think that will affect your odds?
-"iG is an incredibly strong team and their attendance will only mean added pressure for the rest of the participating teams. The Filipino teams cannot be overlooked though given how popular DotA is still in their country.
I personally feel that our chances at winning this event is small but I would give it my best either way."
Now that you've started practising for DotA, how do you feel the metagame is different in both games?
-"There's a huge difference in terms of bans and picks, while the movement around the map and teamfights in general are much faster in Dota 2."
Which ‘metagame’ does you/MUFC prefer then?
-"Not to pick one over the other but our team prefers playing aggressively early on, I guess because an early advantage makes us more confident to take the game."
Thank you for the interview and best wishes to your team. You can thank your sponsors and fans now. Oh also, give a random shoutout to the first person that comes to your mind when I say ‘noob!’
-"Shoutouts to our current sponsors e-Club and Tt eSports for their support. I would say Ling because the way he says 'noob' is really funny in real life. *laughs* Thanks for the interview!" 
