The Selecao Olimpica elected not to include a specialist in their staff for this month's games but with anxiety building, it could be a decision they rue
A sense of anxiety was to expected for Brazil’s debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. A nervous start to major competitions is nothing new for a host nation.
In the 68th minute against a 10-man South Africa with the game goalless, substitute Luan laid the ball across goal for the onrushing Gabriel Jesus, the leading scorer in the Brazilian first division who had just completed a mega-money transfer to Premier League club Manchester City.
Palmeiras idol and the latest wonderkid to emerge from the nation, there was nobody that 200 million expectant Brazilians would rather the chance have fallen to. But the teenager could only send his shot back off the post.
Clearly shaken by the miss, Gabriel Jesus went on to say that he the moment was already replaying in his head and that would not be able to sleep at night. The team rallied behind him, insisting no individual blame should be attributed for the disappointing curtain-raiser.
But in the second match, against Iraq, Brazil slumped to another goalless draw. Their performance was met by boos from the Brasilia crowd, with captain Neymar singled out as the villain of the piece. And Renato Augusto, another facing criticism, joined Gabriel Jesus by missing an open goal this month.
On Wednesday the Selecao Olimpica travel to Salvador knowing they must beat Denmark to ensure qualification from Group A.
The pressure is certainly being felt by the players. Their performances so far have surprised the local media, who were optimistic ahead of the games after being so impressed by new Olympic coach Rogerio Micale both on and off the training field.
The decision not to include a sports psychologist was the only point of contention. On the first day of press conferences in Teresopolis, site coordinator Erasmo Damiani was asked to explain the notable absence.
“We don’t have a psychologist because we are here for a short time, the competition itself should be enough motivation. We will give that support to the players,” he said.
“We cannot put all the pressure on winning this medal. Every step we will see how the atmosphere in the group changes and it will be up to keep the players calm.”
Brazil have always been at the forefront of sports science. They took a psychologist to the World Cup of 1958 – a time when most teams didn’t even have general medical staff.
And sports psychology expert Joao Ricardo Cozac believes the 2016 Olympic delegation have made a mistake by not employing one for the tournament.
“Psychological work with the Olympic team is very important because the level of pressure and expectation during the tournament is huge,” he told Goal Brasil.
“I think the opposite to the coaching staff. There is more pressure than normal because the Olympic gold is the only title Brazil is missing. That makes the environment even more emotionally charged and can raise the level of anxiety amongst the players. When an athlete experiences a high level of high anxiety, their concentration, reasoning and decision-making are affected.”
Cozac, who is president of the Sao Paulo Sports Psychology Association, said the work should have been long term, with a psychologist present at every Olympic warm-up. He says he still believes there is 'prejudice and misinformation” around the practice in top-level sports, even in Brazil who have such history in the field.
"Football is worlds apart from the rest of Brazilian sports because it has a real resistance to change,” he continued.
“In Brazil there a misunderstanding of the fundamental benefits of this area of sports preparation. We know that the psychological aspect often plays a very important role in the performances and the outcome of a competition."
Despite their tender years, every member of the Selecao Olimpica are already stars, with captain Neymar a global superstar – and he, by his own admission, has struggled to contain his emotions at times while representing his country.
All of the players have been decisive for their respective teams, often rising to the big occasion. However, while we worship them as heroes, they are still human as susceptible as anyone else to anxiety and self-doubt.
As the pressure mounts, perhaps someone to help guide them through the emotion of the Olympics would have been of benefit. In the absence of a psychologist, Brazil have closed ranks, intent on solving their problems themselves.
If they can do so and march to victory against Denmark on Wednesday, their bond will be stronger than ever. Maybe they don’t need anyone to help them clear their heads, but in a sport, and a competition, as demanding as this, not including a psychologist could yet be a decision they are left to rue.
..... - Goal