World Cup 2022: Dutch Legend Jaap Stam Explains Penalty Shootout Psychology

• Legendary former Netherlands defender Jaap Stam has given a fascinating insight into the psychological aspects of a penalty shoot-out
• This came in the wake of his nation crashing out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the cruel tie-breaker against Argentina
• Ironically, the Dutch were knocked out by the same team in the same manner in the semifinals of the 2014 edition

Penalty shoot-outs will remain forever cruel.

Football supporters in the Netherlands must be sick at the sight of Argentina, who have knocked them out in the tie-breakers of their drawn 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal and semifinal encounters. Former Netherlands, AC Miland and Manchester United defensive wall Jaap Stam took time to explain the mental aspects of this dramatic form of ending a match.

Speaking on SuperSport, Stam said:

Japan's World Cup squad: Find out the full roster of team Japan in Qatar

Football

"You get that ball as you are walking up. [Everybody] is shouting before they go silent because the fans are also quite nervous about what's gonna happen. On your way up from the halfway line to the penalty spot you're like, 'I've got that ball and thinking, okay, in training sessions I always hit it hard. Should I do it now? Probably the goalkeeper knows it as well how we take these penalties.

"Do I need to take this angle, left or right or whatever? But when you start thinking too much it doesn't become natural anymore and maybe you mishit that ball or don't hit the target. You put that ball on the ground and then make that run-up to the ball. At that time you're thinking that you are going to hit it the same way as you did before.

"Before that, you have been thinking so much about taking that penalty that you're making yourself crazy, basically."

Poland World Cup squad: Which players will be booting up for the Polish national team in Qatar?

Football

Qatar 2022: Jaap Stam bluntly states the truth about Cristiano Ronaldo in a video

SuperSport cannot be faulted for acquiring knowledgeable and forthright pundits.

This was on show when former Netherlands, Manchester United and AC Milan defender, Jaap Stam gave his thoughts during a 2022 FIFA World Cup broadcast, as reported by Sports Brief.

He did not hold back when discussing Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal's prospects in the tournament.

Messi’s Argentina taunt the Netherlands after winning World Cup 2022 tie

Argentina players savagely mocked their Netherlands counterparts after winning a tempestuous World Cup tie at the Lusail Stadium.

The match-up was far from a flowing game with tackles, yellow cards and constant breaks in play punctuating the game.

Argentina had raced to a 2-0 lead only for Wout Weghorst to come off the bench and score a quick-fire brace, forcing the game into post-match penalties.