It's not only the likes of Messi and Klose competing for World Cup glory in Brazil this summer. From today (July 2), 20 of the best FIFA game players compete in Rio de Janeiro to become the champion of the annual FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC). We caught up with Ty Walton and David Bytheway, two UK-based pro players who are fifth and sixth seed in the tournament, to share their tips on how you can improve your own FIFA skills, from defending a crucial lead, taking penalties, and choosing the best teams. However, in spite of more complicated modes, local multiplayer is still the biggest highlight of FIFA. Going head-to-head with one of your mates is vital, exciting and occasionally heart-breaking. Every shot that rattles the bar, every pass that doesn’t quite make it and every mistimed run is more than made up for by the fact that, at any point, that optimistic 30-yard drive might just find the top corner. FIFA 14’s menu interface leaves a lot to be desired. Blocky sections have taken on the form of a less colourful Windows 8, each one having a sub-menu that has to be navigated through with the right stick.
Possibly the most important of these is to learn the basic techniques to secure the ball back from the opposing player. In FIFA 14, stealing the ball has become more difficult than in previous versions, and for this reason it becomes a high risk/high reward maneuver. It forces you, as a player, to be alert and find ways to contain your opponent when their team gets into your half of the field. Stay In Position. Whenever one player moves out of position, there will be a gap for the attacker to exploit. Try to keep players - particularly your defenders - in their natural positions so that each area of the pitch is covered. When an attacker is moving towards goal between your midfield and defense you should bring the midfielder back to make the tackle rather than bringing your defender out of position.
By using teammate contain, you can then switch to a defender in the box who can clear any crosses that come in. So in this situation, my opponent is breaking down the wing and is going to cross. I’ve switched to David Luiz and used teammate contain to send the nearest player to ball, to try and win the ball back. Unfortunately my teammate doesn’t manage to get the ball back and my opponent gets the cross in, but because I’ve switched players, I’m able to put David Luiz in the perfect position to clear the cross.
Positioning is Important. Switching markers between different players may sound unimportant, but actually, it plays an integral role in any build-up. If you just use the wild switching, it will leave needless open spaces in your defense, and you will concede more goals. You should try keeping your center backs for the last as if you use them aggressively, and they get dodged, you will be in a big trouble. When FIFA plays well, there is nothing like it: the passing is crisp and smooth, the world’s best players look incredible, and even the fans were given an upgrade for FIFA 14’s next gen transition. But all it takes is one moment to ruin the beautiful presentation EA have worked so hard to create and most of these moments occur when the ball goes into the air, because though aerial supremacy is a huge part of modern football it seems lost on the developers at EA.
Apart from the overpowered headers and crosses, when the ball leaves the ground, FIFA 14 turns becomes nothing more than a lottery. World class players need three to four touches when trying to control the ball from a lofted pass with the ball bobbling around like a balloon afraid to come down. There’s nothing worse than being through on goal and getting caught in possession when your player has taken multiple touches. Winning more headers on FIFA 14 will be absolutely crucial to your success on the game. In an average match you will be competing at least 20 - 30 times per game for aerial bal ls. Thus, the importance of reading these tips, putting them into practice and perfecting your heading technique.
