Shortcuts like cheating, intimidation, finding a loophole in the points table may provide momentary success but these are no substitution for the real antecedents of optimal performance or long-term success such as hard work, dedication, focus, and a positive mindset (Hanrahan & Andersen, 2010). In other words, one may win a match by taking advantage of an injured opponent, deceiving the referee, or sneak their way to the semifinals by avoiding stronger opponents, such negative approaches will not help a team or individuals reach their optimal level of performance or keep them at the top in the long run.

The purpose of an event like the World Cup is to find the best in the word. Although it is widely accepted that the best team does not always win the world cup, but whoever wins it is because they were the best version of themselves during the course of the event. But in England’s case, it seemed like they did not necessarily thrive on reaching their optimal performance and be the best they can be by pushing themselves over the limits, instead they were content with their mediocrity and thrived on seeking shortcuts by avoiding stronger oppositions. Technically, England did not cheat in the tournament by losing a game on purpose because there is no rules against that, but it is still an extremely negative mindset to have which may not have helped the team’s confidence in a positive way throughout the rest of the tournament.

Within the current literature of sport psychology positive, precursors such as positive thinking, positive self-talk, words of encouragement, past positive experiences are highly associated with positive consequences, e.g. positive feeling, momentum boost and consequently positive results, or winning (Brady & Grenville-Cleave, 2017; Taylor & Wilson, 2005, p.30). Within the applied field of the discipline there is great emphasis on formulating intervention tools or mental skills training to boost motivation, confidence, and optimism among athletes as they are highly associated with optimum performance or positive results (Kornspan, 2018).