I personally thought the final would be a South American affair between Brazil and Argentina but Holland and Germany put that theory to bed.

Just goes to show that nothing is really that predictable in football but as we’ve said before to any budding Asian soccer star, self-discipline matters.

Brazil started strong against the Dutch but lost their way as soon as Holland scored their first goal. From then on Brazil went into panic mode and lost their discipline in defence, an area on which the 2010 Brazil had been built.

Brazil plays best as a team of individuals with flair and creativity who are allowed to play fast one-touch football the South American way.

The world cup 2010 Brazil team looked more like a European team and it didn’t suit them.

Germany on the other hand have always looked like a strong, disciplined unit that have grown stronger throughout  the tournament. Their passing is accurate and they play as a team both in attack and defence.

Germany destroyed Maradona’s Argentina with a 4-0 victory dominating most of the game. Again, the South Americans lost their discipline.

Germany has been the most impressive in the tournament so far, growing in confidence and as a strong unit match by match.

But their discipline is what sticks out most, each player knows what their job is and they get on with it in an effective and efficient manner.

Asian soccer star learning point

Self- discipline is the cornesrtone of success. Discipline will give you freedom.

As Stephen R. Covey once wrote, “the undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites and passions”.

And as we already know and have seen from the South American teams that play with passion and flair, once they lose their self-discipline they lose the freedom to play with flair and creativity. They give in to their emotions.

In the longer term, a lack of discipline equates to a lack of freedom to develop particular skills and abilities which are required to play professional football.