I don't have a gamepad, but when I tried out FIFA 2002 it seemed like the computer AI for your defenders was real stupid. The computer opponent would always swoop in for breakaways against your goalie.
I'm not a soccer fan, but it just didn't have the feel of authentic soccer, 1-0, 2-1 affairs. I chalked it up as a typical EA sports title. How different is FIFA 2003?
Should I have given it more practice with a gamepad for a fair evaluation? I don't mind exciting games that deviate from reality, but stupid AI defenders and insane goal scoring just didn't impress me.