Sjoerd Marijne – The Hindu

When Sjoerd Marijne bid adieu to the Indian ladies’s hockey group in 2021, he left because the coach who virtually pulled off a miracle and an Olympic medal. His return final month was preceded by off-field points and accompanied by doubts on the group’s future and the burden of expectations of an encore.

The Dutchman, nonetheless, is categorical that the ladies are in much better form this time round than when he first took cost in 2017. “I rank the expertise I’ve now increased than once I arrived in 2017. And that doesn’t imply will probably be straightforward to attain the identical outcomes as a result of I additionally see different nations turning into higher,” Marijne stated in his first media interplay since taking cost of the camp in Bengaluru.

“There’s excellent expertise within the group, we’ve got a mixture of younger and skilled gamers and everyone has to combat for his or her place. I do know the expectations are very excessive however it’s a pleasant problem,” he added.

He has already pruned the probables to 29 and is evident on his targets.

“An important factor is to create a unit and convey again the tradition of working collectively, carry over my data and the best way of taking part in in a short while for the World Cup Qualifiers and to get to know the gamers. The massive intention, in fact, is to qualify for LA28,” he stated.

Marijne additionally careworn that the group’s health was significantly better.

“The health is way additional than the place we began in 2017 in depth and techniques. We’ve extra pace and agility and they’re much more responsive.”

He, nonetheless, did point out that issues could be totally different when it comes to dynamics. “All 29 gamers we’ve got within the squad are essential for me. There shall be no extra consideration to the captain or seniors. I’ve additionally instructed the ladies who as soon as had been with me that what occurred previously is gone, your degree at this second is what counts. I additionally defined to the youthful ladies that we don’t need to be finest mates.

“For me, it’s about efficiency and behavior. The problem with younger gamers is that their degree retains oscillating. The seniors need to make them higher however the higher the kids change into, the higher the seniors should get.”