Ian On The Red Dot

So, early yesterday morning was the Champions League final. The penalty shootout was unbearable. I had a feeling Ronaldo would miss. Didn’t dare hope Terry would, but he did. But the thing I really want to comment on is the save made by Edwin van der Sar from Anelka’s kick.

Did anyone of you notice the interaction happening between the two players before Anelka kicked the ball?

As Anelka stepped up to the ball, Edwin van der Sar pointed to his left. It looked like Anelka wiped his face with his left sleeve but it also looked like Anelka kind of gave a subtle mocking acknowledgment by pointing to the goalkeeper’s left.

Anelka then proceeded to kick the ball to Edwin van der Sar’s right which was the direction the keeper dived.

The rest as they say is history. Edwin van der Sar saved the shot and Manchester United won the title. Yeah!

A good friend of mine believes that Edwin van der Sar saved the shot because he desired it more than Anelka wanted to score. Maybe. He said gamemanship was involved. Most definitely. But I couldn’t help wondering if players could be influenced to kick the ball a certain direction.

Could the goalkeeper help make up the mind of the shooter?

This article on the New York Times is an interesting one about the topic of Priming.

Psychologists say that “priming” people in this way is not some form of hypnotism, or even subliminal seduction; rather, it’s a demonstration of how everyday sights, smells and sounds can selectively activate goals or motives that people already have.

Oh, I don’t know why Sir Bobby Charlton refused the medal around his neck, but it just seemed damn classy.