With the halfway stage at the FC Pro Open upon us, and with play set to resume when Group A returns to London in the new year on January 8, it’s time to look back at the biggest talking points in the four Match Weeks so far.
Emre Yilmaz and Umut got things off to an exciting start as they shared the spoils in a 4-4 draw in the first broadcast match of the tournament, and it is the two European players with control in Group A after both took 10 points from their first four games.
There is work to do for FIFAe World Cup 2023 finalist Mark11 after he ended Match Week 1 without a point, though his FC Pro Open fate is now out of his hands. The FUTWIZ star was one of four automatic qualifiers who endured mixed form at the competition.
PHzin was the best performing automatic qualifier as he erased doubts over whether missing out on the Global Qualifier could have been a disadvantage for momentum in Match Week 2. The Brazilian put together four strong performances to top Group B after the first four clashes, and no one has registered a better goal difference (+13) than the Ajax esports pro, who scored the joint most goals with Emre Yilmaz (22).
A surprise in Group B saw two of the best performers from the Global Qualifier in FacuCowen and Bonanno struggle to find their best form.
Fierce competition in Group C on Match Week 3 provided the first glimpse of one of the FC Pro Open favourites in Vejrgang. The RBLZ esports star duly delivered to top the group with 10 points, though his journey wasn’t without drama. He settled for a 2-2 draw in round 1 against ManuBachoore, but his most dramatic game was during round 3’s 2-1 win over AbuMakkah, where he produced manual goalkeeper movement of the highest level.
FIFAe World Cup 2023 winner ManuBachoore wasn’t able to capture the form that saw him victorious over the summer, and just two points puts him in a difficult position to qualify ahead of him when Group C returns for their second round of games in January.
Despite losing to Vejrgang, AbuMakkah was one of the top performers of the FC Pro Open across the first four match weeks, standing out for his composure under pressure. The Saudi Arabian certainly did enough to show that he could still win the group with a better result next time around against the Dane.
Another one of the most composed players who handled their emotions well was Fouma. The FC Lorient esports competitor always looked in control in Group D – which was suggested to be the group of death – with his only loss coming to Team Gullit’s Levi de Weerd.
The Dutchman sits top of the group after picking up nine points, and he was yet again the most difficult player to break down after conceding the fewest goals at the Global Qualifier. The 19-year-old conceded just five goals across his four games this time at the FC Pro Open, though he did suffer a 3-2 defeat to Obrun in round 3.
One of the biggest talking points from Group D was the performance of Tekkz. The England international came into the FC Pro Open unbeaten after going 7-0 in the Global Qualifier, but things just didn’t click for him on the night. He eventually got a point on the board after his 4-4 draw with The1OS in round 4, though that was the only one after losing his other three matches.
The players now have the festive break to gather themselves before returning to action in the new year, and while some have left themselves in an excellent position to book their place at the FC Pro Open Final on February 3, there are still plenty of twists and turns that could still take place.
The FC Pro Open will resume on January 8.
