The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as Northern Ireland defeat Poland 3-1, at an exuberant Windsor Park.
Football: Artur Boruc - Pressure!
It's the World Cup Qualifier at Windsor Park. The Irish have a two-one lead, and the game is well poised. Halfway through the second half, the Polish keeper, Artur Boruc, receives a back-pass from one of his defenders.
The ball comes to him at speed, and is bobbling furiously on the uneven surface. Boruc swings wildly at the ball. It passes under his foot, into the back of the net, to the unadulterated delight of the home crowd.
It's a bad moment for the Poland and Celtic keeper. Throughout the game, the Irish crowd have been on his case. Mockingly chanting his name, knowing that he is potentially mentally fragile. Wanting to get under his skin.
And they succeed. If Boruc had been thinking clearly, he would have watched the bobbling ball, right onto his foot. With care and attention to detail. Taken his time. Cleared easily.
But no. He wanted to thrash the ball down field, to show the fans his aggression and positivity. To prove that he wasn't affected by their jibes. But, Boruc was feeling the crowd's heat.
Of course, his blunder simply increased the merciless taunting from the terraces. He was lucky to get through the game, without any further mistakes.
From the outside, it appeared as if Boruc, wasn't mentally prepared for the 'welcome' he was going to receive at Windsor Park. For if he had, he could have used the negativity to his advantage. Seen the abuse, as a sign that the crowd want to get at him. Personally use it to increase focus and desire. To draw from the well of personal strength.To prove people wrong. To shut the crowd up. To let them know that they had picked on the wrong man. That Artur Boruc loves presure.
But no. They had picked on the right man. The crowd sensed Boruc's vulnerability. And played on it. And it earned them a goal. It will be a test of Artur Boruc's mental strength, as to how strongly he comes back at international level, from his Windsor Park experience.
