HIBAPRESS – Ahmed Sabbar
The reactions of the national teams varied with the approaching end of the group stage and the results of the matches in the knockout round, between those who were optimistic about a path that seemed within reach, and those who tasted the bitterness of bad luck after finding themselves facing a strong opponent or an extraordinary candidate, or even a team that entered the competition without fanfare, before surprising everyone with their performance and remarkable results with the succession of matches.
With the approaching whistle of the start of the round of 16 matches, a wave of speculation and nominations usually begins, and some go so far as to determine the identity of those who will qualify for the quarter-finals based on what was achieved in the first round and the technical levels presented, but the reality of football, as we have concluded from previous editions, often disappoints the logic of prior calculations, as a number of teams develop their performance gradually with the intensity of the competition, and the harmony of their players and their enthusiasm increases as the dream approaches, especially when reaching the advanced roles, and even the final match, becomes a tangible goal, not just a distant ambition.
From this point of view, it becomes necessary to emphasize that the direct elimination stage is fundamentally different from the group stage, both in terms of psychological pressure, tactical details, and the margin of error, which is almost non-existent. Continental and global history is full of examples and lessons, teams that dazzled at the beginning and then quickly faded and left through the narrow doors, and others that started modestly or ordinarily, before making their way steadily towards the final rounds and ascending the podium.
Therefore, caution is necessary, and underestimation is rejected. All national teams concerned with the round of 16 and beyond, including our national team, must be well aware of the specificity of this role, and be prepared for all possible scenarios, by reading the difficulty before looking for ease, and by mental and tactical preparation to overcome all emergency situations.
In matches that only recognize victory, focus, discipline, and realism remain the keys to crossing.
Good luck to the Atlas Lions in their upcoming journey.
