PES League: Road to Cardiff - EU Regional Finals at Anfield

The 2016/17 PES League Road to Cardiff competition began with the in-game release of PES League, which was added to Pro Evolution Soccer 17, and also made available through a free-to-play Trial Edition that released back in early February. This online mode gave all PES fans equal chance to rub shoulders with the elite performers, by tracking player stats and rewarding the best with places at the regional final competitions. With places at the Grand Final filling up fast, there was a palpable sense that it was 'crunch time' in the air at Anfield last Saturday. The players, who travelled from all over Europe, were well aware what was at stake, since the tournament represented the last chance for them to proceed on The Road to Cardiff.

Liverpool FC's iconic home stadium, extremely rich in European history, was a fitting venue for the tournament to play out, particularly considering the preferred partnership between Pro Evolution Soccer and LFC, which this year meant that PES 2017 is the only place where Liverpool fans (like yours truly) can play in front of the newly renovated Main Stand at Anfield. The day's action took place on an impressive purpose-built stage just underneath the stand. The area was kitted out with a huge screen for the official stream, as well as secondary monitors to show replays on either side to the attending audience. There were also webcams pointed at the players to really convey a sense of their ping-ponging competitive emotions, as well as pitch-side pundits (including former Liverpool player, and current commentator, Phil Beglin) that analysed main-screen games and provided pre-match build-up to intertwine with the streamed coverage. There was even a players' lounge (which Press could access) and a mock-tunnel corridor leading out onto the competition area.

With the all the lights, buzz and authentic match-day elements, there wasn't much to distinguish the event from a real game, especially with so many in attendance, ranging from journalists and PES League fans to supporters. Sitting amongst them, the appeal of these e-Sport competitions quickly sets in. Streaming mediums like Twitch and YouTube keep viewers worldwide feeling intimately involved, and PES 2017's extremely well-rounded representation of football ensures that a range of strategies and tactical approaches can be deployed. Watching these competitors proved to be as absorbing as a real game, and with the very impressive approach to presentation and coverage, it's easy to understand why the PES League has become so hugely popular in such a short space of time.

The group stage draw threw up a surprise when Bad Boy G and DexK, the two entrants representing the UK and Ireland, were drawn in the same group, and both suffered an early setback, by drawing with each other 3-3 in their first game. As the pundits pointed out, a good start has been historically important in the competition, but neither player was able to bounce back in the next game. Bad Boy G conceded three goals with no response to Teclis, while DexK suffered a 3-4 loss, in a tight and entertaining game against joanfcb. This meant that both competitors, heading into the final group games, were reliant on other results going their way. Unfortunately, Bad Boy G only registered a draw, while DexK suffered his second 3-4 loss of the day to Teclis, putting both out of the competition.