The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as Portugal exit the 2008 European Championships, after a 3-2 defeat to Germany.
Football: Portugal - Conviction?
So Luiz Felipe Scolari ends his tenure as Portugal head coach, with a defeat to Germany. Whilst the score-line suggests a tight game, the reality is, that once they went 3-1 behind, this Portugese team, seemed to lack the deep down belief, to turn this match around.
Sure they had an abundance of possession. But the Portugese decision-making in the final third, was poor. Weak shooting from distance. Sloppy crossing. When the heat was on, Portugal were found wanting. Their thinking under pressure, did not stand up to this particular test. Ultimately, they were driven by hope, not conviction.
At the knock-out stage of major championships, you see the true mettle of teams. Their mental strength and resolve, is revealed in adversity and under pressure. Qualities which are in the German DNA. And which they drew on again, this evening.
The Portugese are blessed with the technical skill. But yet again, in a major tournament, they have failed to match that skill, with silverware.
With their head coach bowing out at the end of this tournament, it was expected that Portugal would find the collective will and resolve, to progress further in this event. But when it really mattered, they couldn't find the sense of conviction, to turn this match around.
Conviction is a quality, that comes from having strong-minded players in the team. Winners and leaders, who will carry the fight. Who will not panic or fret when the chips are down. Who will take personal responsibility. And stick to principles, knowing that things will turn. Refusing to accept the inevitable.
Germany and Portugal were two well-matched teams. But in the mental battle, that is the quarter-finals of a major championships, the Portugese, did not have enough of the right stuff.
