The Mongolian powerhouse The MongolZ have once again proven that their greatest weapon is character. Despite enduring one of the most turbulent months in their history, the team is back on the rise: after defeating paiN Gaming (2–1) and Team Spirit (2–1), they secured a spot in the IEM Chengdu 2025 quarterfinals. This achievement represents more than just progress in the tournament — it symbolizes revival after the shocking benching of star rifler Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold.
Life Without Senzu: A Path Through Doubt and Chaos
Just a month ago, The MongolZ looked like one of Asia’s most stable lineups and a frontrunner for the regional slot at StarLadder Major Budapest 2025. But the news that Senzu had been unexpectedly benched stunned the community. The young prodigy — long considered the future of Mongolian Counter-Strike — suddenly disappeared from the active roster, with no explanation from the organization.
In that moment, the team had to react fast. Losing their main entry and impact player could have been disastrous, but the coaching staff brought in a seasoned stand-in — Unudelger “controlez” Baasanjargal, a veteran who previously played for Chinggis Warriors and the old MongolZ lineups. For him, this was more than just a return — it was an opportunity to once again prove himself on the international stage.
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Techno: “Maybe people doubted us after Senzu, but we showed we can bounce back”
Following their victory over Team Spirit, captain Sodbayar “Techno” Munkhbold gave an emotional interview, acknowledging that skepticism surrounded the team in recent weeks:
Of course, we believed in ourselves because the core four players and our coach came back. Maybe people doubted what would happen after Senzu was benched, but we managed to recover and now we’re back in the playoffs. We always know how to bounce back.
According to Techno, the team’s early struggles came largely from missing their coach during the first two matches:
We played the first games without our coach, and everyone can see how much of an impact he has. Yesterday we weren’t ourselves — but today, we came back. That’s what being a real team feels like.
controlez: Experience, Humor, and Calm Amid the Storm
As it turned out, controlez became the stabilizing force The MongolZ desperately needed. Despite minimal preparation — only three or four days of practice before the tournament — he quickly adapted, posting the team’s second-highest rating (1.09). His performances on Dust2 and Mirage against Spirit were instrumental in their playoff qualification. Techno didn’t hide his admiration for the veteran:
He’s a really funny guy. He played in the old MongolZ lineups and has a lot of experience. He’s like an older brother to the team — always encouraging, joking, and helping us relax before matches. He adapts to us so well.
The contrast between the youthful core (Techno, mzinHo, 910, bLitz) and the experienced controlez created a rare balance — a mix of instinct and composure that helped them stay strong in decisive rounds.
Mirage as a Symbol of a New Chapter
After a tough loss to Astralis, The MongolZ entered their series against Spirit under immense pressure. Following a nerve-wracking Ancient, where they nearly threw away the lead, everything came down to Mirage — a map that had long haunted them.
Honestly, we hadn’t won Mirage in a while. We always took the lead and then somehow lost to comebacks. So I’m really happy we finally won it this time, Techno laughed after the match.
That victory didn’t just secure a playoff spot — it restored belief within the team, proving that even without a key player, The MongolZ remain a formidable force.
The Uncertainty Around Senzu
Despite ongoing speculation, Techno refused to go into detail about the situation:
I don’t know what happened. It was sudden, even for me. We’re still friends — me, him, and mzinHo. I honestly can’t say anything.
His comments confirm that the matter remains unresolved within the team. There has been no official statement from The MongolZ, though analysts suggest the decision may have been related to personal circumstances rather than disciplinary issues.
Next Challenge — The Quarterfinal vs FURIA
In the IEM Chengdu 2025 quarterfinals, The MongolZ will face FURIA — a team they’ve failed to beat in their last three encounters. Yet, the Mongolian camp remains confident:
We’re going to play good — good style, good shape. As I said before, we always know how to bounce back, said Techno.
For The MongolZ, this match will be a true test of maturity. They’ve already proven they can survive internal turmoil — now they must show they can stand up to one of the world’s most consistent LAN teams.
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A Team That Refuses to Fall
After weeks of uncertainty, internal changes, and public doubt, The MongolZ have reminded everyone why they became the symbol of Asian Counter-Strike’s rise. Their journey is one of resilience — from chaos to stability, from rumors to redemption. If they can overcome FURIA, this team will prove once and for all that no setback can break the spirit of Mongolian Counter-Strike.
