YOU CAN'T RUN, YOU CAN'T HIDE, BUT YOU CAN MESS UP

As the game slips towards the penalty shoot out, nerves will start to jangle. The Dutch have their secret weapon in Krul, who does Argentina have? The science and psychology of penalty taking has been written in a full book. Matthew Syed in today's Times covers it well in three columns. It's the long walk to the spot that gets noticed. 

There is an acceleration of the heart and lung function. Paling and flushing ...inhibition of stomach action, such that digestion ceases. The constriction of the bold vessels. The freeing up of metabolic energy sources such as fat and glycogen, the dilution of pupils and the relaxation of the bladder. Perception narrows, often there is shaking. As I write, the South Americans have two golden chances to avoid all this discomfort. They fail. The game comes to an end. Muscles are primed and there is an increase in body strength. Adrenaline pumps, tunnel vision occurs. No longer calm,the body is taut, trembling with the effects of cortisol. The human becomes hyper-vigilant; it comes from our ancestors' need to survive, run, fight. If you need to take a penalty then there has to be a mechanism to counteract this stress. You cannot run or fight, you need to survive messing up. Pressure is not a problem it is a privilege. Extra times ends. All the preparation, will it help?

So Krul is kept in the locker. Players embrace and link arms on the half way line, all part of the ritual. Anybody feeling calm?

Cillissen has not saved a professional penalty!

Here we go....no van Persie?

Holland, Vlaar saved, the first penalty, so important.

Argentina, Messi has missed one recently, chips it home.

Robben goes to the keeper's left and hits the inside of the side netting. Perfect, but he has all the attributes to counteract this pressure.

Garay smashes it home.

Sneijder has his saved by Romero.

Aquero scores, 3-1-relief in the crowd.

Kuyt scores- this is it, no pressure...score and Argentina cannot lose.

Last one hammered in by Rodriquez, despite a hand on the ball by Cillissen, he should have saved?

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