The Impact’s eSports player in Amsterdam
I’ll start by telling you all that this will be my only journal entry this time. Unfortunately, my first day at the Global Series Playoffs didn’t go as planned: although my matchups were close, and I stayed in the thick of things for all five rounds, Friday in Amsterdam, my record of one win and four losses means I’m eliminated from the race to the eWorld Cup.
Of course, I’m disappointed and frustrated by this quick elimination. I was ready and well prepared for this tournament, but upon my arrival in the Netherlands on Wednesday, I heard through the grapevine that the game play, which is the way the players react in the game, had been modified, and in many ways, it was as if we were playing a new edition of FIFA. The virtual players were slower at turning and accelerating. It was as if they were stepping in mud: the feet get stuck at first, but it had less of an impact at full speed. This change definitely advantaged direct players, which isn’t my style of play.
I started the day on Friday with a home and away matchup against JRA Lion, and I conceded a goal at the very end of the first leg, which considerably altered the face of our matchup. I felt rather comfortable at first, but once my opponent scored, I knew I had to pick up the heat. I even earned a penalty when he was leading 1-0 in the second half, but his goalie made the save and he scored the insurance goal moments later. At that point, I had to push harder, but he took advantage of the empty spaces and it finished 4-0 through two legs. It’s worth mentioning that JRA Lion was one of the only players to go unbeaten on that day.
The second round, against right_watch, was maddening. I had over 75% possession and the best opportunities to score, but once again, it just didn’t want to go in. My opponent won the round 2-1. I scored my only goal at the very end of the round off a rebound…Frustrating, because I felt I had done enough to beat him.
I then faced FC Lokomotiv Moscow’s player, ufenok77. It was an offensive spectacle that finished 7-3 in my favour. I took control of the first game, won 2-0, and my confidence was back: my opponent had almost no scoring chances. The return leg was also to my advantage, even if ufenok77 had the evil habit of scoring right after I would. At this point, I felt pretty good about myself and I was approaching the next matchup with optimism.
Time for the fourth round against Flash Amraan, a player from a Singaporean eSports club. I quickly took a 2-0 lead, but Amraan made a tactical change that caused me some problems. He scored four goals without reply before I could answer, and I lacked precision on some opportunities near the end of the game. That loss hurt, because once again, I dominated possession and scoring chances.
I had everything to play for in the fifth round against Method Riptorek. It started well, and I scored two quick goals, but he got one back right at the start of the second half and even ended up taking a one-goal lead later on. I had a chance to come back in the second leg, but when I was one tiny little goal away, a giveaway cost me dearly. When it was all said and done, I lost 7-3 against my Polish opponent, although the final score doesn’t tell the game’s story.
It’s unfortunate, because it was the level I was expecting and one I was ready to take on, but I was forced to alter my preparation and strategies from my training due to the changes in the game mode. Although it’s back to square one for FIFA 19, I’m determined to never have to relive this type of day.
See you soon.
