Words: Staff Writers
Image: Football Federation Australia

Penalty heartbreak is familiar to all footballers - but Redlands United’s Byron McLeod felt it first hand in the Fox Fans League PS4 NPL Wildcard Challenge in Melbourne on Tuesday.

McLeod, 14, represented both his club and PlayStation® 4 NPL Queensland at Gosch’s Paddock in the Victorian capital against representatives from seven other Member Federations.

The PS4 NPL Wildcard Challenge offered a place in the Fox Fans League Final to the winner of a knock-out PlayStation 4 FIFA tournament.

McLeod, who was the competition's youngest competitor, was eliminated in the first round by Tasmanian representative Jack Dance from Devonport Strikers in a golden goal replay after drawing their first match one goal apiece.

Conceding what he described as a soft penalty in the rematch, McLeod showed good grace despite his early exit from the tournament.

The PlayStation 4 WildCard Challenge was ultimately won by Victoria representative Peter Saisanis from South Melbourne FC, who won $5000 for his club and a place in the Fox Fans League Final in Federation Square.

Greg McLeod, who accompanied his son to Melbourne for the competition, commended PlayStation Australia, Fox Sports and Football Federation Australia for the unique experience.

“Byron was a bit disappointed that he only got to play one game but we’ve had a great trip so far,” he explained.

“The venue was great and PlayStation had a tent set up on the parklands at Gosch’s Paddock where elite athletes come to train. Byron is sure that he saw some Melbourne Victory players training nearby.”

He said his son’s commitment to football meant it would be only a short stay in Melbourne, with on-field commitments seeing the pair return to the Sunshine State.

“Now that the tournament’s over we’re coming back early so Byron will be well rested before State Team training tomorrow night,” said the elder McLeod.

Byron McLeod secured his place in the PS4 NPL Wildcard Challenge after prevailing in a series of EA Sports FIFA 15 qualifying heats at Cleveland Showgrounds earlier this month.

Redlands United previously earned Queensland's wildcard place via a social media engagement campaign that was open to all PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland clubs.