With football postponed until April 30th due to COVID-19, Sky Bet League Two club Leyton Orient found the perfect solution to give fans their football fix.
The Ultimate Quaran-Team Cup consists of 128 teams, where teams are drawn against each other in a straight knockout format.
Each club involved nominated a representative, with players ranging from First-Team squad members, fans, and even professional E-Sports players.
That was exactly the case for the Dons who would face off against Dutch Club Heracles Almelo in the First Round.
Representing Heracles was their official E-Sports player and E-Divisie Champion, Bryan Hessing. For the Dons, it was a little less glamorous with fan Dan Phillis stepping up to the challenge.
However, in dramatic circumstances, it was the Dons who were victorious with Dan recording a 2-0 win after Hessing left the game on 20 minutes.
Speaking to MKFM, Dan Phillis talked us through his emotions before the game and how he struggled to believe he was beating a Professional FIFA Gamer.
“When I found out I was playing against someone who gets paid to play FIFA I thought I was in for a long evening. All my mates were giving me stuck and some of them were even betting against me - I knew there was no pressure on me and just went into the game with a carefree attitude.
“After I scored the first goal I actually thought he was toying with me and was giving me false hope. Then I scored my second and just as I started to celebrate – he quit!
“It was a strange feeling beating someone who plays FIFA for a living – but it’s certainly something I’ll never forget.”
The next round of the tournament will take place later this week, but Dan has already given the Dons fans something to smile about in the absence of football.
The competition has its own JustGiving page to allow fans the chance to help those struck hard by postponements with the money split between MIND and Covid-19 cure research.
Click HERE if you’d like to donate!
