intro : J League Winning Eleven 97 is the best soccer game on the
PSX and possibly on any other console today. I have played N64's J
League by Konami and WWS97 by Sega, but none is as realistic as the
PSX soccer game.
In this faq, I will be introducing the moves to the game. Basically,
all buttons on the control pad are used, including all the shoulder
buttons. Each button has different functions depending on whether you
are attacking, defending or at a throw in.
X button
Attacking : short pass
Defending : block tackle
Ball in air : (tap X button twice) passing header to nearest player
Circle Button
Attacking : long ball
lob towards goal
I once scored with a spectacular lob over the opposing
keeper
Defending : clear upfield
if player is near rhe ball, he will run towards it
and clear in direction of run
Square Button
Attacking : shoot towards goal (shot bar shows height of shot, not
power)
Ball in air : strong header
overhead kick (back must be turned to the ball)
volley (ball in air)
diving header (when ball is some distance away and player
has to stretch to reach it)
Defending : slide tackle
Triangle button
Centering the ball (from any position, but preferably from flanks)
Goalkeeper : causes him to rush out to narrow the angle (must press
triangle for him to attempt a save)
L2 and R2
used in conjunction with short pass button for one touch play (press
both x button and L2 or R2 when passing, remembering to hold the R2 or
L2 button)
R2 can be used when defending to prompt the nearest player to chase
the ball
L1
Change player
R1
Speed burst
Select
Press during gameplay to implement selected strategy (strategy will
flash)
Press another time to cancel strategy (eg all out attack)
Start
Pause gameplay (eg to call for substitution, change of tactics)
Dribbling
tap the direction button three times in succession in the direction
you are running. (dribbling only works if you are not in speed burst
mode)
(the goalie has three different moves with the ball; overarm throw,
underarm throw and long punt. I'm sure you can figure that one out
yourself!)
HINTS
-- at a corner, shift direction of kick towards the goalpost. A player
is normally there so you can glance a header past the keeper.
-- try to cross the ball at the 3/4 mark of the pitch. This will catch
the opponents offguard as a speedy striker will probably run on their
blind side and you can execute a diving header.
-- try to time your speed bursts so that you accelerate at the right
moments. Continually running gives you less control and opposing
defenders can take the ball off you easily.
-- changing player positions does not really matter. Using the Urawa
Red Diamonds team, I deploy Buchwald and Boli upfront. They are faster
and have very powerful shots. Buchwald is very tall and can get to
most headers.
-- different players have slightly differing abilities. Okano in the
Red Diamonds team, for example, can run very quickly but you have to
be careful when shooting as he normally skies the ball.
-- at throw ins, press the x button a few times to pass back to the
throwing player. You can use the shoot button for a vague shot towards
goal.
-- you can charge up your shots towards goal when running towards the
ball via a through pass. This normally happens when you select a 2-3-5
attacking formation.
-- you can execute a low cross into goal as well. This is difficult to
execute. Speed burst the player and tap x twice and back
twice.(simultaneously)
-- the most enjoyable viewpoint is close up. Use the screen radar to
detect your players' positions.
--- when the ball is in the air, a cross shows where the ball will
land.
--- using the slide tackle only as a last resort.
-- prompt the goalie to come out when passing back or when there is no
defender in sight as the attacker bears in on goal. Press the shoot
button to clear (when ball is free) or to make a save.
WISH LIST
I really hope that there is a code for us to select players from
different teams to form an all star team. Imagine having Stoijkovic,
Careca, Boli, Buchwald, Bein, Okano, Massaro, Miura, Hasek, Mazinho
and Troglio in the same team! We could even form an all Brazilian
team!
Goal Storm 97 is coming soon. Hopefully the commentary will be as good
as the Japanese version. I wish they had a player editor function like
in WWS97.
Have fun playing this great game! Email me if you discover any new
moves!