Arrow Gaming had visa application rejected, team may not be able to go to The International 2014

Four members of Malaysian Dota 2 team Arrow Gaming have had their visa applications to the US rejected. This means that right now, the team is unable to travel to Seattle in the US for The International 4 (TI4), which it qualified for via the recent TI4 Southeast Asia qualifiers. Arrow Gaming was a dominant force in the TI4 SEA qualifiers and it would be disappointing for both the team and its fans if it were unable to participate on the grandest Dota 2) stage of all.

(See: Malaysia’s Arrow Gaming qualifies for The International 2014, Korea’s MVP Phoenix included in the Play-In Series)

Here’s a screenshot of the post made on Arrow Gaming’s official Facebook page:

This isn’t the first time foreign Dota 2 teams have had problems heading to The International. During The International 2012 (TI2), Malaysian team MUFC also had visa and passport issues that prevented it from flying to Seattle. It was replaced by Mouseports, who in turn had Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi-Takhasomi as a stand-in player for Alexandru “ComeWithMe” Craciunescu, who hadn’t been able to get a visa in time.

Should Arrow Gaming be unable to solve its visa problems, it is possible that its hard-won slot will be taken by Korean team MVP.Phoenix, who is currently set to participate in the Play-In series against three other runner-up teams from the European, American, and Chinese qualifiers. The team next in line to take MVP.Phoenix’s slot in the Play-In series would have been Thailand’s MiTH-Trust. However, MiTH-Trust’s recent roster change will probably mean they are ineligible, which means Philippine team Mineski would likely take the slot instead.

We will keep you updated on Arrow Gaming’s visa application progress, but in the meantime, keep your fingers crossed for the team!

UPDATE 04-06-14: This article has been updated to include details of MiTH-Trust’s roster change.

Check out the other Asian teams at The International 2014:

(Image source)