The Gamer.LK Competitive FIFA League came to an end last month with PnX's Abith "LeoN" Latiff emerging champion for the second season running. This years league saw 32 players taking part which is a significant increase compared to last year, showing good growth in the competitive FIFA scene in the country. A majority of the participants were from UnK and PnX, two local clans known for their FIFA expertise.  This resulted in some friendly rivalry and very competitive matches.
 
FIFA 10, unlike its predecessor, has introduced many changes to its' gameplay. It was interesting to see how everyone would adapt to these new changes on a competitive level, since GCFL was the first tournament in Sri Lanka to host FIFA 10.

With his disappointing performance at Sri Lanka Cyber Games '09 and other smaller LAN tournaments, many didn't expect LeoN to win this year, let alone remain unbeaten. It goes to show that practice and focus does indeed help. The final however wasn't a walk in the park for LeoN with runner-up CB, a member of UnK, leading 3-2 right up to the 90 minute mark where Leon equalized and took the game into extra time. LeoN’s decision to make use of his substitutes paid off when he scored in the second half of extra time. This goal was enough for him to seal his second GCFL Championship. Congrats to LeoN for an awesome and more importantly, consistent performance. In the third place playoff [UnK] HULK emerged victorious. It was a fine performance by him considering this is his first GCFL. The biggest upset of the tournament was [UnK] iFiboy, the winner of SLCG 09, being knocked out much earlier than expected by HULK and MURA in a tightly fought contest. 

We congratulate the winners and hope to see everyone take part in GCFL Season 3 scheduled to start in November 2010.

Interview with LeoN

Congratulations on winning your 2nd season of GCFL in a row - how do you feel?
Leon: It is a great, incredible and awesome feeling to have repeated this feat in consecutive years. The rosy bed that I'm sitting on however was initially a thorny bush when I had two inconsistent patches particularly in the Asian WCG tournament. Thus, I'm truly delighted to have beaten through the obstacles and marched forward steadily.

You had a flawless record this time winning every single GCFL match. How did you manage that?
It is not a complicated exercise as many within the community and other followers believe. It is simply about getting the basics right. According to me, practice attains perfectionism and hence I constantly was involved in games with my PnX clan members. Further, if you are to succeed in this industry, you need to be committed and dedicated to the task, be confident as well as be renowned for motivation and self-motivation. The support I had from my well wishers is commendable as it was a key driving force in the battlefield. 

Toughest match this season - who was it and how did you overcome your opponent?
The toughest encounter for me was with PnX | Hulk. The reason for my statement is the fact that he was leading 2-4 at the half time whistle. At this point, I, having watched and observed him 1st hand, knew what I should do to prevent his goal scoring spree but little did I realize that it would expose his vulnerability in defense and hence I broke the lock and emerged a surprise victory at full time 5-4. I always had the belief that I could come back into contention. Hence, this drove me to achieve my goal.
 
It is common knowledge that you put a lot of effort into practicing - tell us how you prepared for GCFL?
Like I stated in Q2, It is all about practice, practice and PRACTICE. My colleagues and clan members who played with me deserve credit for sharpening my skills and making me the person who I am.

Even though you have proved yourself over and over again in online tournaments, your performance in LAN tournaments don't seem to match up - why do you think that is?
I'm working hard to address this situation in the forthcoming games. I always aim for victory but at critical times at the game, if you're not on the good side of luck, the task becomes quite difficult to push through.

The game-play in FIFA 10 is a lot different from its' predecessors - how did you manage the transition?
The major adjustment that I had to make was owing to the advanced gameplay which now forces a player to think strategically and not at a tactical level. Further, the graphics are simply mind blowing. I'm truly enjoying the flavor that FIFA 2010 has brought as I believe that this is the best version of FIFA to-date to be presented by EA.

FIFA at PnX has come a long way since you joined. Now we see a small rivalry between another newly formed clan, Unknown Gamers and PnX - what inside scoop can you tell us about this new competition?
 We're within the same clan for your information. What is different about us is our recruitment procedure.
We at PnX recruit based not only upon merits, past track record but on the commitment, dedication and synergy the player brings. UnKnown Gamers mainly consist of school leavers from Minhal International School who are seeking school leavers from same to boost their clan. It contributes to healthy competition since it will make the clan strength increase to dizzy heights.

Where do you go from here?
 My focus is not entirely upon gaming. I'm currently a freelancer doing BSc in Computer Science & CIMA (Strategy). gaming is part of my life and hope to balance my disciplines adequately in the near future.

Any message you would like to leave us with?
The quote by Sir Winston Churchill- "Never Never Ever Give Up" follow and trust your instincts, accept constructive criticism and always keep your feet on the ground.

congrts leon... keep it up

congrts dude

Congatz..

nice, congrats..

Any message you would like to leave us with?
The quote by Sir Winston Churchill- "Never Never Ever Give Up" follow and trust your instincts, accept constructive criticism and always keep your feet on the ground.

Wow Nice comeback Leon!  

Wow Abith. Proud of u..........................as a good friend of urs.

Congratz man!

congratz man..

well done abith and congrats

well done dude 

Gratz abith

Congratz man

congratz LeoN

Nice Interview !!