On LAN in Shanghai, China, 16 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams are battling for their share of the $1 million prize pool at CS Asia Championships (CAC) 2025. The start of the five-day event has already proven thrilling, as one of the favorites, FaZe Clan, walks on the edge of elimination.

As the second-highest-ranked teams at the event (#11 on VRS), eyes were on FaZe Clan after the decision to bench Håvard “rain” Nygaard. After all, in rain’s last dance, FaZe Clan ended 4th at ESL Pro League Season 22. At CAC 2025, however, there are some apparent cracks in FaZe Clan’s armor.

FaZe Clan Stays Alive With Narrow Win Over Underdogs

Starting their CAC 2025 journey as the favorites in Group B, FaZe Clan got off to a terrible start, losing to the lowest-ranked team in the tournament, FUT Esports (#43 on VRS) with a 13-11 on Mirage. The loss stung, especially since FaZe Clan had an 8-0 lead early on.

Back at it tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Gqr6nrUS68

— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) October 14, 2025

In the lower bracket of Group B, FaZe Clan had to beat B8 (#20 on VRS) or suffer elimination. On their map pick of Dust2, the teams were tied 6-6 in the first half, before FaZe Clan managed to pull ahead to win 13-9.

The second map, Mirage, was too close to call in regulation, with teams tied 6-6 after the first half, and 12-12 after the second half. With triple overtime required to separate the sides, B8 came out on top with a 22-18 score, forcing a third and deciding map.

On the brink of an embarrassingly early exit, FaZe Clan got off to a flying start on the T side of Ancient, going up 5-0 before B8 stopped the bleeding. B8 managed to pull it back to close out the half with a respectable five rounds compared to FaZe Clan’s seven.

As teams switch sides, however, FaZe Clan finally found their rhythm. Winning six CT rounds in a row, FaZe Clan beat B8 with a 13-5 score on Ancient, and thereby, claimed a 2-1 victory in the close series.

4 more on the board for @Twistzz 📈 pic.twitter.com/lVUsHN47Tq

— FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) October 15, 2025

With the win, FaZe Clan survived their first hurdle in the lower bracket of Group B, thanks to Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken’s monster performance. The Canadian rifler pulled off a whopping 1.42 rating across the three maps played, with a K-D of 68-53.

The CAC 2025’s group stage continues until October 16, followed by the playoffs stage from October 17 to 19. FaZe Clan isn’t out of the woods just yet, as they’ll have to win Group B’s lower bracket semifinal and final to make it to the tournament’s playoffs stage.