D'Arcy Waldegrave: How will Auckland FC play under the pressure?

We all know the saying, pressure makes diamonds.  

It’s a wonderful theory, a beautiful axiom that is often delivered as a powerful reinforcement of the ability of athletes who exude titanium-like mental strength. 

We also know that pressure has the capability to wreak havoc. Pressure in the diving world can lead to nitrogen narcosis, oxygen toxicity and decompression sickness - more commonly and loosely known as the bends.

Far from a precious rock.  

So how will Auckland FC behave under the most intense scrutiny that they have ever been subjected to? Melt under the blowtorch? Catch fire and burn to ashes through the concentrated glare of the A-League magnifying glass? Wilt?  

It’s fair and right to say that the team have an almost irresistible momentum, their season has been one of almost mythical success, a fairytale if you will. Should they scale their Everest, it will become legend, one of the most extraordinary debut seasons in sport. Should they trip on the Hilary step and roll to their demise, the narrative will be one of a great season, but no cherry. 

There is no way of knowing which path this team will take, even with the influence of the uber successful Dan Hall, the hugely experienced Tommy Smith, the gatekeeper Alex Paulsen and the guiding light of one of the best coaches in the game, Steve Corica. 

No-one knows. 

Don’t fear the unknown, that's where the magic is.   

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Wildgrave from Used TALKSB seven nine.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
On the All Sport Breakfasts, we all know the saying
pressure makes diamonds. It's a wonderful theory, a beautiful axiom
that is often delivered as a powerful re enforcement of
the ability of athletes who exue titanium like mental strength.
Also that pressure has the ability to wreck havoc. Pressure
in the diving world can lead to nitrogen narcosis, our

(00:36):
oxygen toxicity, and decompression sickness more commonly and loosely own
as the bends. It's far from a precious rock. So
how long can FC behave under the most intense scrutiny
they have ever been subjected to? Where they melt under
the blowtorch? Well, I catch fire and burned to ashes

(00:57):
through the concentrated glare of the A League's magnifying glass,
they wilt. It's fair and right to say that the
team have an almost irresistible momentum means and can't be stopped.
You know that the season has been one of almost
mythical success, a fairy tale, if you will. Should they
scale their everest, it will become legend one of the

(01:21):
most extraordinary debut seasons in sport. Should they trip though
on the Hillary step and roll to their demise, the
narrative will be one of a great season. But without
the cherry on the top. Look, there's no way of
knowing which path this team will take, even with the
influence of the uber successful Dan Or, the huge experienced

(01:43):
Tommy Smith, Captain Rocky Sakai, the gatekeeper Alex Paulson, and
of course the guiding light of one of the best
coaches in the game, Steve Corriker. We simply don't know,
and neither do they. But don't fear the unknown, because
that's where the magic is. That'll do.

Speaker 1 (02:04):
For more from the All Sport Breakfast with us Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk set B on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.