Aurora defeated NAVI in their opening match of the StarSeries autumn tournament, securing one of the most significant victories since assembling their new roster. In the previous year, they had lost to NAVI four times, though at that time the team still maintained a full Turkish lineup.
"After the roster change, we sometimes actually played good CS but just couldn't close out the games," Wicedia said in his post-match interview with HLTV. "Previously against FURIA and G2, we were very close to winning. So being able to finally secure a victory here, especially against NAVI, is very important for us."
Next, Aurora will face NRG, who just upset MOUZ, in the winner's bracket semifinals. Wicadia also stated that the team must absolutely not underestimate this opponent.
Q: Now we've reached the StarSeries Autumn tournament, where Aurora has just defeated NAVI. This might also be the first truly decisive victory since their new roster was formed. How does it feel to defeat a team like NAVI?
Wicadia: I think after the roster change, we did sometimes have good CS rounds, but we just couldn't close out the matches.
When we played against FURIA and G2 before, we were already so close to victory. So coming here and being able to snatch our first major win, especially against NAVI, really matters to us.
We haven't had a great head-to-head record against them, so it really feels like a relief now, and I'm also very happy.
Q: The last time you defeated NAVI was probably during the Eternal Fire era, or even before that, when it wasn't Aurora yet. So not only did this international roster finally win, but they also beat NAVI. How does that feel?
Wicadia：In past important finals, quarterfinals, and similar matches, we pretty much lost every time we faced them.
So now it feels really good.
Q：This new roster has been formed for two or three months now. How is the team gelling so far? What changes are happening within the team?
Wicadia: I think we're getting more accustomed to each other every day.
There are people from four or five different nationalities in the team, so it will definitely take time for us to reach our best. However, I feel we are getting better every day.
Q: Specifically, what areas do you think are improving?
Wicadia: We just keep competing, identify problems, fix them, and keep pushing. That's pretty much it.
Q: So what do you think about the potential of this team? What level do you think you can ultimately reach?
Wicadia: I don't want to exaggerate.
However, I believe that if we keep working hard, we could become one of the teams that could become champions.
Q: How have you adapted to the shift from a purely Turkish lineup to the current international roster, especially given that it might involve more struggles and doesn't carry the same momentum as before?
Wicadia: I have actually discussed this issue recently, but some people misunderstood what I meant.
Everyone in the team has excellent English, and we can communicate in our daily lives without any issues.
In my case, I've been playing on a Turkish team for the past four years, and others have stayed on Turkish teams even longer.
So sometimes it can be a bit challenging to temporarily call out orders in English during the mid-round. However, as I mentioned earlier, we make incremental progress every day.
Q: I've heard XANTARES talk about this issue before. His English has clearly improved a lot, and now he communicates very actively. How would you describe your current communication situation? What are some notable improvements?
Wicadia: I think for us, winning this kind of match is equally important in building confidence, so that we can continue to improve.
But I can say that everyone's English is very good, and it will definitely get even better in the future.
Q: Jimpphat mentioned in a previous interview that sometimes you actually "lost to yourselves," and said the team needs to improve its mental state during matches. Have you made any adjustments to address this issue recently?
Wicadia: Of course.
Psychology has always been something of a weak point for us, but I feel that we are now improving on that front.
How exactly was it improved?
Wicadia: We will discuss these matters.
In the competition, we will also try to keep ourselves calmer.
I think many things ultimately depend on ourselves, and everyone needs to improve themselves.
Q: So everyone needs to be responsible for their own mental state?
Wicadia: Of course. Everyone's mindset is different, and I believe each person should strive to improve themselves.
Q: Now that you have defeated NAVI here and secured your first marquee victory, what are Aurora's next goals? What do you most hope to achieve?
Wicadia：Next, we're playing against NRG.
I think every team here is very strong, so we have to take it one game at a time.
Prepare for NRG now and see what happens next.
Q：What do you think about the match against NRG?
Wicadia: It will be difficult.
I think we absolutely cannot underestimate them because they just defeated MOUZ, and I believe they are a very strong team.