The Canadian Minifootball Federation [CMF] has a team ready to represent both the CMF and Canada in the upcoming E-PanAm Cup tournament! To get to know about the players that will be donning the red and white, we spoke with the players to learn about them!

In the second part, we will introduce you to Artin “Artin-seinfield” Tazari, Luca “LucaAug21” Augello and our substitute player Nilesh “Njoshi92” Joshi!

First of all, congratulations on being selected to represent the CMF in the upcoming E-PanAm Cup! How were you recruited by the federation?

Artin:
So I was in a Discord server with Ontario eSports league where they have a bunch of EU leagues for different online sports. And I saw a listing on the FIFA channel. They said that the CMF is looking for members to represent Canada in the message the user and they helped set me up with them.

Luca:
I’m always looking to get to the next level and when one of my buddies found out about the e-PANAM games he told me and immediately I was interested in joining, so I was able to get in touch with Jan, from there I was able to get more information about the event and I told them I’d like to join the roster.

Nilesh:
Originally I saw a post on social media. Essentially a bunch of my buddies, obviously during this whole pandemic have been gaming, whether it’s Call of Duty or FIFA or what have you. And I noticed that there was an eSports League, e-PANAM cup signup. And I decided to say, “you know, I have a lot of free time on my hand during this whole pandemic, and I figured why not put my name forward? I was pretty much screened through right away and then had to interview with Jan. Pretty much from there. I was selected out of one of the few candidates to represent Canada.

What interested you in wanting to join the team and represent the CMF?

Artin:
What interests me was that I’ve grown up playing FIFA. When I found out that the listing was actually at an international level to play FIFA, that really interested me as one of my dreams was to actually play competitive sports eSports and when the listing came, it was a dream come true.

Luca:
The thing that interested me the most about wanting to join the team was the fact that I’d have a chance at representing Canada, the country I’ve lived in my whole life. It means a lot to be able to say “I represented Canada” no matter if it’s on the virtual pitch or a real one. I also like the fact that they were willing to bring in anyone who wants to compete and not just the world’s best.

Nilesh:
Honestly, I thought it was cool. I was like, why not put my name forward? Like I said, there are a few sports leagues through the Ontario eSports league social media page where you had to pay to sign up for some of these different categories, whether it’s Call of Duty or other games and stuff. And like I said, I think a lot of people are in the same situation as me, they have plenty of time on their hands during this pandemic, and I was, you know what, I have nothing to lose, right? So I might as well put my name forward. If I got screened out, then you know, it doesn’t matter to me, I’m still gonna be playing FIFA with my buddies at the end of the day. So for me, it doesn’t really make a difference. I was interested, I like FIFA, it’s cool that I get to represent a country in the sense. I never thought I would be able to represent Canada in anything to be honest with you. So it’s kind of cool that I’m representing them in one shape or form.

Can you describe your prior e-sports experience heading into this tournament?

Artin:
I played a competitive NBA 2K. I started playing with the Toronto Uprising, the Toronto branch of the E-Sports for NBA 2K, where I started my competitive 2K. And then last year I picked up Counter-Strike Global Offensive, played little competitive scrimmages with some teams just for fun like a Sunday League or something like that. And this year I started getting into professional FIFA.

Luca:
I play a lot of FIFA both pro clubs and the competitive mode in FIFA Ultimate Team titled “FUT Champs” so I am used to playing some very good players. But in terms of tournaments, this is the biggest one I’ve been

Nilesh:
For E-Sports like in general, I play FIFA quite regularly with my friends and family and stuff like that. I used to play competitively going into high school and somewhat in university, but obviously now that I’m a full-time worker, I don’t really have that much time on my side. But I do play regularly on the weekends and in the evenings. Since this pandemic, the only way I can connect with my friends really is to game with them. So my experience, I’ve been playing FIFA for almost 10 to 15 years since PlayStation Two, PlayStation One, since the original games came out. So I’ve been playing almost every day since I got my first FIFA game and PlayStation console essentially.

What separates the E-PanAm Cup from other events you have competed in?

Artin:
What separates this cup from other competitions is the crowd will be big and there’s a lot on the line. It will be cool playing for Canada with the Canadian Minifootball Federation in the e-PANAM Cup, and that’s what sets it all apart. It’s just like a greater audience and a greater stake.
I’m Canadian, born and raised. This country is awesome. I’ve always dreamt to represent it in some way. And whatever way it could be, It’s an honour. And to put Canada on my back and play professional esports is just a dream come true. What a great country and a great federation.

Luca:
The other events are more of you trying to win for yourself, and there’s not as much pressure on you to do well even if you always try to. Now you’re representing your country and that alone shows how important of an event this is.

Nilesh:
For me competing and anything else this has been like the FIFA weekly leagues and stuff like that are playing with, like I said, Co-Op seasons and FIFA with my friends and family essentially. Other than that, this is completely cool, right? It’s pretty much the Pan Am Games but the “e” version of it. So, the fact that you’re representing Canada and I’m playing one of my favorite games that I play on a regular basis. So, it’s kind of a win-win for me, I get to represent Canada and I also get to play FIFA, so can’t really beat that.

Have you gotten a chance to meet your teammates yet? How do you think the adjustment process will go?

Artin:
I have actually met all of them. I haven’t really had a chance to play against them to see what their face looks like. I’ve watched one of our scrimmages with Guatemala. It was a nice game. I can see we have a lot of potential and I look forward to working with them in this tournament.

Luca:
In all honesty, when I first joined the team I didn’t know any of my teammates but as the days and weeks have gone on I’ve been able to talk to a few of them and they all seem like great people and competitors. The top guy who runs everything is very friendly, and he does his best to make sure everyone is in check and playing their best. You know, so far we’ve played some games and we look good, we have a few good players and I think that everyone’s mentality will shift when the tournament kicks off.

Nilesh:
I have. I played two friendly matches with Artin. I didn’t see the other guys matches on the broadcasting and stuff like that. But the adjustment process is pretty good. Everyone’s pretty good at reaching out whether it’s on the PlayStation Network or via email if we’re trying to schedule something. I think now that we have a discord chat group, I think we’ll probably be on a regular basis, play tournaments with each other or just playing friendlies against each other and stuff like that. I know because I’m one of the older ones on the team. These guys who are a bit younger probably play FIFA a lot more regularly than me. That’s one thing I was kind of hesitant about signing up for in the first place was obviously I can’t call myself a kid anymore, but a lot of these people are going to be younger than me and they’re probably going to be playing during the day. That’s probably their regular job right now is playing FIFA during this whole pandemic and stuff like that. So for me, it’s going to be interesting, but in terms of the adjustment process, yeah, everyone’s pretty, pretty chill man. Like I said, I only got to talk to Artin once or twice, with Jan over a chat together. But other than that, I look forward to meeting the other guys and hopefully we can do some damage on the tournament side of things.

How do you train for tournaments like this one?

Artin:
For E-Sports tournaments, like a convention I attended, I would play more. Right now, I watch YouTube videos on best formations, best tactics, how to set up specific teams, all the key binds. I study YouTube videos like a textbook and I implemented into an offline game for me to get used to the key binds, the plays, formations, all that stuff and then out apply it to seasons match which is FIFA is online.

Luca:
There are a few different ways I’ve been training, I’ve been playing one of my friends who is great at the game and learning from him, he’s kind of taken me under his wing, another way is just playing the learning the game. I’ve mentioned before that I play FUT Champs and that mode is a good mould of what the competition is like. The final way would be watching and learning from some of the top, top players compete in the tournaments EA Sports themselves have hosted throughout this game cycle.

Nilesh:
Honestly, I’ll just play with my buddies. And then obviously, I’ll hopefully play with my teammates in this tournament. Other than that, there’s nothing really much more I can do. Like, I’m not one to go on YouTube and try to find tutorials and stuff like that at the end of the day. Yes, I’m going to try to win. Obviously, I’m a competitive person, whether it’s gaming or in sports in general. So, I’m going to try to go beat some people down pretty badly. But you know, after my experience and the friendly matches I did, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have more practice a bit more than the other guys on the team for sure.

What will be the keys to winning the inaugural E-PanAm Cup tournament?/i>

Artin:
I think some key things that other boys should focus on are slow down the tempo you know not to pass or like to do any moves suddenly. You got to really think things through and prepare for what they throw at us. It’s a large pool of talented teams so we need to be ready for anything and adjust accordingly.

Luca:
Teamwork is the main feature to make sure everyone is on their top game. Another important factor is to keep myself calm and relaxed, make sure I’m not second-guessing myself and most importantly that we play our game.

Nilesh:
I guess practice and just be tactically smart. I assume a lot of the people that are playing are going to be the younger people between the ages of 16 to maybe 20. No one really is probably going to be much older I would think.
Instead of me watching Netflix in the evening, I’m turning on the PlayStation and playing some FIFA and getting some practice and it’s probably the way, I have to approach it just play a bit more and stuff like that rather than watching TV. And approach these younger guys on the team and ask them for tips or anything like that.

While it’s still early in the process, do you envision yourself collaborating with the CMF in the future?

Artin:
Oh, yeah, definitely. I’ve met with the CMF leadership, wonderful people. Everyone I’m working with are wonderful people. It’s a great federation. I would love to, after the e-PANAM Cup, love to still be a part of the federation somehow as maybe a volunteer, something that I still work with the federation. I do want to work with them in the future.

Luca:
It is early, however, I really like what’s going on here and although this is my first time with CMF I can see a future playing for them and the people who run it are well-put, nice, professional and the respect goes both ways between the players and the top guys. So, my answer is plain and simple, yes!

Nilesh:
Yeah, for sure. I’ve talked to Jan a few times and before we even get to talking about our E-PanAm Cup, we’re just talking soccer and in general and stuff like that. I’d be curious to see what other tournament’s or what other things they have in the works essentially going forward. So definitely, I followed you guys on social media, followed on Facebook and stuff like that. So, I’ll definitely be trying to be up to date with what’s going on. And who knows what’s going to happen going forward, but for now, definitely. Interested to see what else they have in the works, whether it’s doing collaborations with another tournament stuff going forward. Obviously, this is the Pan Am Games, but I’m kind of curious to know what else they have in the works on the Canada side of things for sure.

Finally, what are your thoughts on minifootball in general? How do you see its potential in Canada?

Artin:
Minifootball is actually a really interesting sport. I actually didn’t know it was a thing until I actually signed up. I believe it’s growing in Canada and I believe we have the proper resources with recreational clubs and more community centers recognizing it and more soccer clubs recognizing it. It has a really great growth rate to grow into the soccer community, as well as just people who are trying to get some exercise.

Luca:
Football in Canada is ever-growing, as well as esports as a whole. So, I think with how much potential both have we’ll see a big growth in players etc. within the sport. I also think Minifootball is doing a great job to get out there and if they continue what they have been doing with the tournaments and such, it’ll be bigger than anyone could imagine. Other players who would love to join could use this viewing experience as an opportunity to go out and make a name for themselves through this federation.

Nilesh:
I actually prefer playing with a smaller number of players, it’s more tactical. You got to be pretty smart in how you approach the game and stuff like that. So yeah, it’s cool that there are different perspectives on how to play the game of football. Any changes going forward, whether it’s big or small, it’s good for the younger generation, good for people that just want to enjoy soccer and experience it for what it is.

 

Michael Mazzel

CMF Sports Journalist