Community Interviews

On the 16th July, top players from across the UK came together to compete in the PES Rankings Main Event 2011.

Bad_boy_g was the eventual winner of the tournament, and was crowned the PES Rankings UK 2011 Champion. He then went on to represent the UK in the World Finals in Cologne in August, which unfortunately, he didn't win.

We caught up with him for a short interview.. which you can read here!

How long have you been a member of PES Rankings, and what do you like most about it?

I actually got involved towards the end of the season of 2009, but it was too late for me to put in a solid effort to put myself in contention for the Main Event 2009.
The best part about PES Rankings is that you get to test your skills against some of the best players in the U.K., and whenever you go to offline events you always get the competitive feeling from amongst all the players.

You were crowned the Champion of PES Rankings 2011.. tell us about your day at the Main Event.

The funny part about the Main Event was that we were running late - some problems occurred and there was a possibility that I may have not made it for the event! Luckily things came to plan and we made it there.

During the tournament I did really well to top my group and put some good results on vs the players in my group. During the stages of K.O round I went through the hard way, with having to come from 2-1 to win 3-2 in the last 16, then in the last 8 I went to penalties only to miss the first one and find my way through. Whilst in the semi-final I somehow managed to sneak a 1-0 win just a chance came and took it.

The final was tricky as I was playing cesc who is a top player, and throughout this K.O round all I did was comebacks and fighting through games. When it hit the 70th minute I was losing 3-1 - I could have given up and taken defeat, but I have a never give up mentality so I went counter and managed to pull 3 goals back - it was incredible! I was over the moon I made something that looked impossible possible!

Tell us about your time representing the UK at the World Finals.

The World Finals was a really good experience, I mean the hotel was top notch! Got our own fridge in the room, our own TVs, it was really nice and they looked after us really well! When it came down to the event, well it wasn't the best draw as I had the current champ Christopher and one of the hot favourites, the Brazilian champ, so I knew it was going to be tough, but after all everyone is a champion, so whatever group I would have been put in would be difficult.

I played Christopher first, which was a difficult match, I just didn't find space and things just didnt go my way. He managed to beat me 3-0, but he played really well, a top player. I won my next game comfortably, 4-0 vs the Swiss champ, which gave me some confidence. My next game was vs the Brazillian champ - it was one of the worst PES games I played and just got mullered 5-1. It was awful, but I learnt a lot from that game. In my last game I managed a 2-1 win vs the Spanish champ. Overall, I finished 3rd which wasn't to bad as it was my first World Finals!

After the whole event they treated us to a lovely night in a fancy bar in Cologne! We went in a hummer which was pretty fancy and everyone was wondering who's in the hummer - I guess we felt like celebrities for the day!

Who would you say has been your toughest opponent?

From the U.K PES Rankings, my toughest opponents have to have been my family members - they just know me in and out! That is bobo_sufi, Stranga, Greatestever and a friend 2203 - these guys have always been able to just read my game. Even though I did win most of my games vs them, I still struggle to find ways of breaking through them.

Who are your favourite players to play against?

Oz Idris! I mean this guy must really dislike playing against me... in PES 2010 I knocked him out in the quarter finals, then the Champions League event on PES 2011 in the final of the London event.

It's really fun playing against him beacuse he never knows what to expect when he plays me! He is by far one of the best players on PES Rankings, and one of the best players I respect beacuse he's achieved a lot, and I hope we battle for more events in the near future! He is really consistent, apart from them times I've beaten him he's always managed to beat me.

Which is your favourite team and player in PES 2011?

My favourite team is Brazil as they just have the whole package when it comes to defence and goal keeper. I always believe that for a team to work they have to have the backbone in the team, which is your defence and keeper. If that part is poor then no matter how good you are, you will always leak goals. My favourite player in PES 2011 is C.Ronaldo - I mean this guy is just a beast; he's got everything you would want from a player.

What are your usual tactics? How do you like to play?

The normal tactic that I would use is 4-3-3. I like to use a center back for left back, rather then a left back, and the rest of the players at the back are normal. I use one DMF, CMF and AMF, and I like to use two SS and one CF.
The different ways I'd play is mixing it up: I pass and move, use through balls, and change my pace in the game from slow to fast. It always comes down to who I'm playing - I always adapt to the person I'm playing. I'll find a weakness and counter it.

If you were leading by one goal with not long left to go what would be your gameplan?

I believe the best form of defence is attack. I will not waste time to win a game, it's just not the way I work. I will look for the 2nd goal to ensure that I win the game, but I will also try my best to hold on to the ball so I can get the win.

Given the amount of games you have played you must have a lot of PES Points. Have you bought anything from the store yet or you waiting for a certain item?

I have bought three £25 Zavvi vouchers - hopefully they should be coming not too long from now!

What type of events would like to see more of?

2v2 events would be really fun offline, the Champions League event was a really good idea. Weaker teams for players to use - thats really fun beacuse it really shows the good players from the weak players.

Having played the new PES 2012 demo, what are your impressions and in particular where do you think it has improved most?

I think the game has improved alot. The best part of the game is that they have improved the first touches which was vital. The game flows much more on PES 2012. I mean its only the demo, it's improved a lot but I still think there's more work that needs to be done but I think the game is coming closer and closer to its best hopefully with time PES 2012 will be the best game out.

Do you have anything you'd like to say to the other members of PES Rankings?

I just want to give a shout out to all the PES Ranking players that if you want my U.K. crown then you better put some serious gaming time in because I'm not letting my crown go so easy! There has been no one to retain the UK championship and I'm looking to be the first.