After the SEA Games 33 Gold Medal, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team advanced to a higher-level tournament with many difficulties and challenges. From not having much preparation time to personnel, the strength of the opponent, and the matter of playing the opening match of the tournament (against U23 Jordan) are all very high pressures.
However, mentioning many difficulties easily raises tension. In other words, if you only focus on shortcomings, the brain is very likely to fall into a defensive state, afraid of wrongdoing, afraid of losing, and eventually tying itself up before the ball rolls. Then, if the result is not as desired, it will become a reason to excuse.
So, brain training is a way to help yourself have a positive state. The brain is designed to protect, not to tell the truth. The brain exaggerates fear, turns back pain and creates the worst possible scenarios to keep you safe from danger, even when danger no longer exists.
Psychology shows that cognitive biases and emotional memories distort reality. The brain clings to past pain, assumes patterns and labels them as true. That's why worries feel very real, self-doubt sounds convincing, and thinking too much makes sense.
The way to control is to stop before reacting. Ask questions about your thoughts, not about yourself. Emotions are signals, not commands. Once you realize your brain lies to exist, you will stop following all thoughts and start leading your mind.
And with U23 Vietnam, instead of thinking "what's missing", think "what's there". We have a team that desires to assert themselves. Inspired by "continuity". Motivated by Changzhou 8 years ago and matches that once made the continent admire.
Complaining about disadvantages does not help players run faster, pass more accurately or defend more firmly. Conversely, identifying positive points can act as a mental trigger. Not only sports and football, but life too, every time you face a challenge or in a difficult period.
