Developers World Championship: Match Report - Japan v Finland (3rd Place Match)

JAPAN Street Fighter IV (Capcom)

VS FINLAND DrawRace (RedLynx)

Third place matches are notoriously difficult affairs to predict. Freed from the huge responsibility to the nation, coaches regularly elect to field fringe and younger members of the squad to gain invaluable experience for future campaigns.

This isn't always to the detriment of the game; in fact, with handcuffs removed and players having a point to prove, the resulting match can often be a good deal more entertaining.

Luckily for those attending the bronze medal clash this evening, the IGDWC play-off was going to be just such an occasion. Not that either Japan and Finland were playing a junior side or taking it anything less than deadly seriously.

Embracing the notion that with the pressure off, the gloves shall follow, both teams entered the fray, therefore, in positive mood.

Legendary brawler, Street Fighter IV, had been recalled to the starting XI for Japan, having been overlooked for the crunch semi final v Australia.

Ryu, Ken, Zangief, and co. were defending Capcom’s 100 per cent record at this year’s Pocket Gamer iPhone Game Developers World Championship, and much was expected from this highly talented and agile crew.

Meanwhile, the Nordic nation’s representative in the balmy evening air, tuning up just in time for the British F1 Grand Prix, was RedLynx’s line-drawing meets driving-line title, DrawRace.

Making only its second appearance at the tournament, the most youthful member of Finland’s flock promised an energetic and vibrant performance to match its round-robin victory.

Kick Off: 7.30pm, 10th July

The critical view: As all eyes turned to the jumbo screen for the green light to start proceedings, the waiting press sharpened their pencils, placed their iPads in the keyboard docks, and practised their 'correct' grip on the iPhone 4 in case they had to phone in an early goal.

Just as well they had, for Japan’s fiery midfielder Dhalsim was into his extraordinarily long stride early doors, ghosting past players as if they weren’t there. Or here. Or, in fact, over there.

In contrast, DrawRace’s lead driver and navigator were seemingly still in the paddock, their lengthy pre-race planning process risking a steward’s enquiry or at least the wrath of their coach.

They finally got going about five minutes in, as Finland's playmaker began to slide through the gears in midfield - there was still a marked lack of pace at the front, mind.

RedLynx Racing Team needed to fuel inject its forwards and nitro boost their confidence quick smart; to that end, Finland’s head coach gesticulated wildly with his fingers from the technical area.

Following the gaffer’s detailed instructions, the Scandinavian strikers duly adjusted their running lines - in one instance the duo completed a perfect figure of eight to avoid the suffocating Japanese offside trap.

Now it was the Capcom coach with problems to deal with, as Street Fighter IV’s goalie, Ken, was coming under increasing pressure, dragon-punching away two inswinging corners in as many minutes.

In truth, the Japs were giving as good as they got. It was real end-to-end stuff as the Asians' combos in the attacking third forced the opposition backline into some last ditch sweeping and a few unsavoury grabs.

Despite the frenetic action, the deadlock remained unbroken, and with the minutes counting down, the PR machines for both teams went into overdrive almost simultaneously.

Espousing Street Fighter IV’s beautifully-rendered 3D graphics, customisable button placement, and recently-bolstered line-up to anybody who would listen on the touchline, the Japanese app's official spokesman was generating some serious heat.

Not to be outmanoeuvred, Finland’s own public relations’ manager employed some chicanery of her own, highlighting the omission of online multiplayer in Capcom's beat ‘em up and drawing attention to the line-drawing sensation’s 20 tracks and hot seat multiplayer.

Whilst the critics were still analysing their records, formations, and features, both sides’ Silver Awards were presented in the first minute of injury time on the touchline.

M. Bison appeared suitably motivated, sending a sliderule pass right into Abel’s path on the right corner of the box. Marseille-rolling his defender with no shortage of Guile, the former French U21 international dribbled round the goalkeeper for the opener.

Japan's celebrations were short-lived, though, as, straight from the restart, Finland’s #9 traced a pre-rehearsed path through the exposed back four, only easing off the gas slightly to round the stunned keeper Ken and dink an equaliser over the line.

This was to be the last action of an opening period, which was proving more gripping than one of Chun-Li’s Chinese burns and an episode of The Wire combined.

Half time: Japan 1 – 1 Finland The Fans’ 45: In spite of there being no meaningful silverware on offer, both sides had impressive support and the stands were awash with colour and virtual vuvuzelas to spur two understandably tired sides to a final push.

Capcom's side undeniably looked the freshest as the second half kicked-of. Street Fighter IV's mid-tournament dojo boot camp caused consternation among the Japanese players at the time, but we bet they weren't regretting the extra training at this stage.

Cammy & Ryu's superior fitness were telling in the initial minutes of the second half, the latter's fireballs into the centre creating havoc in the Finnish six yard box.

On the receiving end of an aforementioned Hadouken, DrawRace's stand-in skipper had to be lifted into the safety car for treatment behind the goal.

Temporarily up against 10 men, the Finns sensed an opportunity and at the speed of multiple sonic booms, E. Honda directed his colleagues with flailing arms across the pitch.

Finland's least experienced App Store rep meanwhile, was beginning to backfire under the pressure. Unable to reach top gear at any point in the final few laps, it didn't look like DrawRace had enough in the tank to push them onto a podium place: to be frank, they looked tyred.

Even the Finns' 70 national network leagues failed to muster an attacking raid of note, as some deliberate build-up play was frequently snuffed out before it reached Capcom's (finishing) backline.

Not that SF IV's forwards were able to make too much of an impression either. Japan's army of backers had flown halfway round the world to see their iconic fighter stare down an opponent one more time. Clearly, it would take a really special move with a focus(ed) attack to break the resilient Finnish rear (mud)guard down.

As the scoreboard indicated three minutes remaining, midfield stopper Blanka rolled a sublime throughball down the line with electric pace. Over-lapping full-back Balrog punched a cross into the near-post with pace, which the acrobatic Vega exquisitely flipped on towards the penalty spot where their very own captain marvel, Ryu was waiting.

It looked to be at a slightly awkward height for a header, but Ryu had other plans. Spinning wickedly in the penalty arc with almost balletic grace, the Street Fighter veteran launched an unstoppable hurricane kick into the roof of the net.

The Finns who'd already parked up in preparation for extra time had nothing more to give and as the final whistle blew the Japanese contingent errupted.

Ticker tape fell from the sky, horns and klaxons rang out from every corner of the iStadium.

Japan had seen the chequered flag and despite a valiant performance from a phenomenal Finnish side, on this occasion, the combination of a cracking game, a well-loved license, and a late fan surge ensured that bronze medals were heading to the Far East!!

Full time: Japan 2 – 1 Finland

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