FIFA Interactive Cup 2012: Azzi ousted from Aussie qualifiers

Eight champions have been chosen from 256 competitors and over 1,000 registrants in the Australian leg of the FIFA Interactive World Cup qualifiers.

Hundreds of disappointed competitors were turned away as the eight stores reached capacity. MCV Pacific reports one Brazillian visitor traveled from Sydney to Newcastle to secure one of the last remaining slots - and take out the competition.

Mark Azzi, who represented Australia in the 2011 FIFA Interactive World Cup, was knocked out of this year's qualifiers by newcomer Mikko Quilala at the EB Games North Ryde event.

Azzi took third place in the global finals last year, so he's not a pushover; Quilala commented that it had been a close match and said he'd decided to lay off Star Wars: The Old Republic while preparing for the finals.

The eight champions will battle it out to become Australia's 2012 representative at a national final on April 4 in Sydney.