Angola turn to psychology to prepare for Mexico

BIELEFELD, Germany, June 14: Away from the traditional pre-match preparations, Angola are using a psychologist ahead of Friday's World Cup Group D game with Mexico.

Boosted after conceding only one goal against much-fancied Portugal on Sunday, the Africans hope the teachings of Laurindo Vieira, who lectures at Luanda's prestigious Catholic University, will give them the mental strength to beat Mexico.

''This afternoon they will have another lecture from a psychologist who will talk to them about confidence and improving their mental strength,'' spokesman Arlindo Macedo told Reuters.

Vieira was brought in after Angola's poor performance in the African Nations Cup in January, which also cast doubt on the position of coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves.

Instead of dismissing Goncalves, the technical team decided to strengthen the coaching staff, with Goncalves asking for a psychologist and statistician.

''The psychologist talks to them about brains and nerves and whatnot and he tries to make them more confident in themselves and in the team,'' Macedo said.

''I'm not really sure what they do in these lectures but the players come out laughing about who is using the right side of their brain and who is not.'' Whether the psychologist has any effect against Mexico remains to be seen but Goncalves is not only relying on mind games.

''The squad have been watching videos of Mexico's matches,'' he said. ''They've seen a few games already but once more is never too much.

''Each one will know who to mark and what to watch out for.'' Macedo said the mood in the camp was upbeat, with the side ready to go all out for victory in Hanover.

''They always go on the field to win ... and they know we must beat Mexico if we want to go through to the knockout stage.

''If we draw we will have to try to do better against Iran but we should not reserve all the hard work for the last match.''

REUTERS

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