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In the evening of Sunday, October 7th 2007, Scotland played Argentina in the Stade de France in Paris. It was the last game of the quarter finals. England and France had shown Scotland the way by ripping up the form book and defeating the favourites. Could Scotland do the same against Argentina -the team that had beaten France in the opening game of the world cup?
Argentina had won their group convincingly and had a super hero in El Mago - the magician - otherwise know as Juan Martin Hernandez. Scotland had Mr 100%, who never misses a kick, Mr Chris Paterson.
Martin Johnson commented that the Scots should not be content to just be in the quarter finals. They needed to find a way to win.
Argentina had defeated both France and Ireland in the group stage and were favourites at six to one on. Back in Argentina the authorities had changed the times of one of their most important soccer matches so that the nation could watch the rugby match against Scotland
An Argentinian commented: "We just dream that we can win the cup."
El Mago tried to kick a drop goal in his second kick of the match. Someone commented: "He thinks he can do anything these days." His kick was not far off. Successful people believe in themselves and are not afraid to take risks and try difficult things.
We all need to think of ourselves as El Mago - the Magician. As a boy, I performed magic tricks at my school. I was useless at it but even the thought of a possible 'miracle' drew an attentive and appreciative crowd!
We all need some magic in our lives. One way to get it is to work hard at our skills like El Mago.
Dan Parks kicked a long distance penalty to put Scotland in the lead. 0-3 As a boy in Sidney, Australia, he used two telegraph poles to practise his kicks with. Successful people accept the inconvenience, discomfort, and sheer boredom that regular, relentless practice can often involve.
Contepomi scored 3 points for Argentina and then another for a dubious penalty. 6-3 Argentina scored a try. 13-3 Paterson kicked a penalty. 13-6
At half time, only one converted try separated the teams. The Scots had made too many mistakes but they were still in with a chance of winning. Sean Fitzpatrick, the New Zealand legend who was subdued after his team's exit from the world cup, was not too depressed to give advice:
"The Scots need to start playing. They are kicking a lot of possession away. They need to take the Argentinians on."
Contepomi scored 3 points almost immediately. 16-6. Scott Hastings said: "The Scots need to be patient and things can happen." The successful realize they may need to wait some time before they see the results they want.
Scotland were ten points behind but, according to one commentator, should not panic and force things. I felt they did need to panic, get going fast and make things happen urgently or they would lose the game!
Juan Martin Hernandez, El Mago, scored a drop goal. 19-6 Someone said: "He is turning into the Maradona of this team."
Maradona, too, was a magician who could perform miracles. He famously brought the 'hand of God' into a soccer game against England when he hit the ball into the English net with his hand! The referee did not notice the 'hand of God' and Argentina went on to win the game.
Scotland needed to leave this game with no regrets and without thinking "What if?" They now scored a try. 19 -11 Paterson kicked and the ball went over off the post! 19-13 A game was now on!
The four Scottish subs that had come on ten minutes before had made a huge difference. Argentina were starting to make the mistakes that had been the preserve of Scotland until the latter part of this game.
In the end, Argentina won. They have an ambition that burns as brightly as any other team in this competition. They will play South Africa in the semi-finals.
Scotland were too cautious for too long. Successful people get going as early as possible. Geoff Thompson, one of the greatest and most thoughtful martial artists in the UK, gets up at 5.30 a.m. every day to get the day off to a good start.
He walks early and writes early and even arranges to meet people early so that he can sort out the serious from the timewasters! My granddad had a similar philosophy.
He would get up at 6 a.m. and clean all the shoes in the house. He would take his Lakeland terrier for a walk and catch rabbits or pick mushrooms for lunch and would then work hard in the garden. He always told me that "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."
The Argentine Pumas were gracious in victory. Their captain, Agustin Pichot, said: "Scotland played with pride and passion. I have a lot of respect for them."
The Scots did not make excuses. Kenny Logan commented:
"We lost it. We made too many mistakes. We didn't start playing till the subs came on after about fifty minutes. When Scotland upped the pace they scored a try. We did not have this intensity in the first half."
Dan Parks said much the same thing: "We didn't start playing till too late. It's not to be. Pretty heart breaking to be honest but we move on."
The coach, Frank Hadden, agreed: "We didn't play well enough and it took us too long to get into the game."
What success lessons can we learn from this quarter final?
Dream big dreams like the Argentinians. Don't be content with just being present. Play to win!
Don't be afraid to become a magician. Work extra hard at whatever you do, start to believe that you can do anything and you, too, could become a worker of magic.
Do more than other people and you may well end up attracting an admiring crowd to watch or learn from you. They may even call you 'El Mago!'
Accept the discomfort, boredom and sheer inconvenience that regular, relentless practice can often involve.
Get going as early as possible. Up the pace and take urgent action before it is too late.
Don't finish the day thinking "What if I had really got going and done more?" End each day without regrets.
Accept your defeats like the Scots without making excuses.
Miracles do not always happen. Get over the heart break of your defeats as quickly as possible. Learn from them and then move on.
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