The AFF 2020 tournament, which is taking place in Singapore, proves this. The 1–0 advantage if not "controlled" properly, can backfire and become a source of defeat.
Take the group stage match between Malaysia and Indonesia on December 19, 2021, for instance. The Malaya Tigers scored a quick goal in the 13th minute with Kogileswaran Raj's kick. At that time, to ordinary people, it may have looked like the beginning of the greatness of Malaysia and the beginning of difficulties for the Indonesian team. On the contrary, complacence over the quick goal boomeranged for Malaysia and Indonesia won the opener. The condition was: don't let Malaysia win 2–0.
People generally think that wherever possible, an opponent's quick goal can prove a turning point for the team conceding the goal. But, both the textbook and the reality on the field, show this:
In a decisive and tense match, the player's mentality is one of the main keys, in addition to strategy and individual skills and abilities. The mentality of remaining alert, insistent, and always judging the opponent as dangerous will push players to always focus, insist, and exert full effort and become the key to achieving victory. Well, that's where Malaysia struck out with its quick goal.
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After quickly taking the lead over Indonesia, unconsciously, the Malaysian players immediately entered their comfort zone. In terms of management, the comfort zone is often called the "blue ocean" or the blue sea. We understand that the blue sea is beautiful, fun, peaceful, and makes people relax and tend to fall asleep.
Motorola and BlackBerry, for example, used to make mobile phone products (HP) with almost no competitors. That is why they were in the “blue ocean” zone so they did not anticipate competition.
The realization that their competitors had done much and were more advanced and stronger dawned on them suddenly and late. As a result, Motorola and BlackBerry were crushed until they finally "disappeared."
Likewise in football. Excellence, especially when the score is 1–0, can make a team enter the "blue ocean zone." In the Indonesia vs Malaysia match, the Malaysian players after winning 1–0, found it easier to conquer Indonesia. Their vigilance waned. Their self-confidence became too high. They became overconfident. That's when the Malaysian players saw that Indonesia was no longer the fierce opponent they expected. Their mentality changed.
The instinct to "kill" diminished. The desire to fight to the last drop of blood that may have previously existed in Malaysian players began to fade or erode.
The 1–0 advantage made the Malaysian players a bit complacent. They began to reduce the instinct and intention of "dare to die" in the field. They became a bit slack, and that opened up space for the Indonesian team to take advantage of.
Meanwhile, with the 0–1 score, the Indonesian players were like injured bulls. The opponent was felt to be increasingly becoming a formidable enemy, who could only be conquered by sacrifice, concentration, and tireless fighting. "Give yourself to the match," coach Shin Tae Yung always tells his students when practicing.
As a result, Indonesia still had the instinct to fight until the last, maintain a stable performance, and beat Malaysia 4–1.
The attitude of "taking the opponent lightly" after winning 1–0 first was also seen in Indonesian players in three matches at AFF 2020, when the Indonesian team won 1–0 against Singapore in the first leg of the semifinal.
After winning 1–0, the Indonesian players felt that victory was in sight. As a result, they reduced the football philosophy of “must be focused, watchful, and should not slack off,” and as a result, at a heavy price, Singapore was able to level the score to 1–1.
The same thing happened again in the second leg of the semifinal against Singapore. Excellence, 1–0, made the Indonesian team unknowingly enter the comfort zone.
Moreover, when one of the Singaporean players was shown a red card, the Indonesian players entered the "blue ocean zone." They were somewhat anesthetized, and were not fully prepared to guard the first free kick by Singapore at the end of the first half.
Before the Indonesian players were fully alert, the ball had already broken into the Indonesian goal.
While the Indonesian players were in the blue ocean zone, Singapore had mercilessly punished Indonesia with a free-kick goal.
On the other hand, thoughts that were far from the comfort zone were shown by the Indonesian team when it faced the Vietnamese team in the group stage.
Throughout the match, the Indonesian team considered the Vietnamese team to be a very dangerous team. That's why from the first second to the last, the players were always focused, put all their energy and fighting power, and were far from their comfort zone thoughts.
As a result, despite being heavily battered, the Indonesian team was able to defend well and avoid conceding goals.
In the final, which will be held on December 29, 2021, and January 1, 2022, Indonesian players must absolutely not enter such a comfort zone.
The Indonesian team must remain alert, insistent, and focused for 90 minutes. It must always be ready. Even if they win 1–0 first, the players must not change their mentality by judging the opponent to be weaker.
Especially, if they are left behind. At any time, under any circumstance, the opponent must be seen as a ghost who can destroy the Red and White Garuda at any time.
In other words, as long as the final match whistle has not sounded, as long as the awareness of the opposing team is still dangerous, guard must be maintained. Never fall into the comfort zone trap or the blue ocean.
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*Wina Armada Sukardi is a soccer analyst
The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the ANTARA News Agency.
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