Interview with mouz.IefNaij

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
Congratulations on your victory, how did you feel about your series with White-Ra?

mouz.IefNaij:
Thanks. I was pretty disappointed with the first game, I lost so easily. While watching the cast Artosis and Tasteless criticized my play, and I just thought to myself 'oh.. I'm an idiot'. They were right, I did play horribly. I promise that won't happen ever again.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
What was going through your head when you were down 0-2?

mouz.IefNaij:
Even though I felt I played better in the second match, there no way I could feel happy with myself after this game. Back to back losses really hurt. I almost gave up at that point. Being down 0-2 meant I had to win three straight games against White-Ra. White-Ra is an exceptionally good player so I thought it would be impossible. At the back of my mind I had my comeback against Draco, and I was hoping I could do the same here. However, it was still a dream at that point...

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
You decided to use your trademark reavers for Game 3.

mouz.IefNaij:
I wanted to give the spectators at least one decent game from our series, so, I decided to play standard in game 3. Winning one game was not satisfying since I knew I still had two more games waiting. The least I could do was hope that I could move onto game 4 and show a good game to everyone.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
White-Ra chose to proxy-gate in Game 4.

mouz.IefNaij:
Game 4 took me by surprise as I don't normally see White-Ra cheese like that. Usually the extent of his cheese is 1 DT to expo. Winning the game made me really happy, the dream of making a comeback now seemed like it could become a reality... again

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
White-Ra seemed to have the advantage in Game 5, and then made a large micromanagement error with his shuttle and Reaver.

mouz.IefNaij:
I felt like my confidence had returned in game 5 so I went for the safe play, expoing with reavers. However, when he came to attack, I somehow didn't observe his unit leaving his choke, perhaps I forgot to position a probe there. Anyhow, that really got me, my units were all out of position and my initial reaver was sniped.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
What was your reaction immediately after winning Game 5?

mouz.IefNaij:
You can't imagine how it felt, going 0-2, coming back 2 games in a row and about to lose the deciding game. But it was Chinese New Years when we played and I guess the luck was really with me! I was able to snipe his shuttle + reaver, every Protoss's worst nightmare. Once he lost that shuttle, I had a big banana grin on my face, I knew I won. Once he gg'd I screamed so loud my brother came over to my room to ask if I've won. I gave him a big double handed high five, like you see the progamers do in the proleagues.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
White-Ra wished you luck in the rest of the tourney, he seemed to be very GM even at the end losing from a 2-0 position. You guys are on the same team, are you friends?

mouz.IefNaij:
Yes, we have been friends and teammates for several years now. Although it's sad that we had to eliminate each other, it was inevitable, and I hope he does not hate me for it. I will do my best to make sure his elimination was not in vain.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
It is well known that you are a university student and that you were unable to practice as fully as you wanted for the Ro16 and Ro8. Many people were predicting hat you'd lose to GosI[Terran] back in the Ro16, but you've proven quite a few doubters wrong.

mouz.IefNaij:
I think playing as the underdog each time has relieved pressure from me, and therefore I could play my best. When inexperienced players like GosI[Terran] are expected to perform well, they tend to crack under pressure and play poorly. I'm not saying that he did play poorly, but the pressure definitely affected his play.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
You said earlier that you were only able to practice on weekends. But this week, you can practice much more.

mouz.IefNaij:
Yes, for the last two series I was only able to practice one or two days before the actual match. I don't have school this week so I'll be able to practice fully. I will definitely be ready to crush Nony.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
Nony seems very confident as well, predicting himself to be the TSL champion. You seemed much more reserved in your predictions, but now that you have more time to prepare, do you feel more confident?

mouz.IefNaij:
I think the only players that stand a chance against me are either top foreign Zerg or Idra. My PvZ has always been known to be my weakest matchup. Honestly, I do not see myself losing to Nony now that I have time to practice.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
How do you plan on practicing this week?

mouz.IefNaij:
I plan on playing a few hours a day, I can't play all day because I still have a lot of studying to catch up on, it IS the reading week for us. In terms of practice, it will mostly be ICCup grinding to get my speed and game sense back.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
You said top foreign Zergs or Idra as your only threats. What was your reaction watching the Nony-Idra series?

mouz.IefNaij:
It was a really weird series. They both went out of their regular styles, particularly Nony who is a very conservative player, it really surprised me. I had a lot of faith in Idra so I took on Rekrul's bet, I lost $200. I'm kinda sad I lost $200 but also happy I have an easier opponent now.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
Idra had some strong opinions about you in his interview, comparing Nony to Stork and you to BackHo.

mouz.IefNaij:
I heard about the BackHo thing, but I really don't know how BackHo plays so it's not really offensive to me. I think "cheese and gay builds" is art. Who would want to see standard games all the time? I don't care about how one wins, as long as one is able to obtain that win. Cheese or not, victory will be mine.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
If you beat Nony, you'll be facing Mondragon or Sen in the Finals. Any predictions on how that series will turn out? Who you would you rather play?

mouz.IefNaij:
It's tough. They're both really strong zerg players but I don't know what level their ZvP's are at, so at the moment, they are both the same to me.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
The casters especially make a big deal about your ability to micro reavers. Some fans would say that your reavers are "overhyped." Do you feel more pressure when using them? When you lose a reaver badly do you ever think "oh boy, the casters will have fun with that one?"

mouz.IefNaij:
I don't feel any pressure using them. Actually, when I play a game I zone everything out and my only focus is the game. I can't even hear my parents screaming at me when I'm playing, I have no time for such silly thoughts.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
Your parents must know about TSL from the first one that you won. Were they more informed and excited this time?

mouz.IefNaij:
My parents only know about my past TSL, but I'll definitely inform them about this one if I make it into the finals.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
Your brother cheers you on as well. Do you have classmates or friends at school who know about this tournament?

mouz.IefNaij:
My siblings have been very supportive as well as my friends at the university. Most of them watch the games and even text "good luck" to me before my matches. I'm very happy I could win for them.

PokerStrategy.com TSL:
Thanks for the interview, any last words of thanks or to your fans?

mouz.IefNaij:
<3 to those who cheered for me. Shout out to SFAFs and SFAF follower Cheryl Chu!!
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