Times of India: Need to have a plan now: Women’s hockey team coach

NEW DELHI: “We are not surprised,” said Mathias Ahrens – who has been in charge of the women’s hockey team since April – after his girls earned the ticket to Rio Olympics. “I was really looking forward to this day. We had worked hard, especially in our match against Japan in Antwerp,” coach Ahrens told TOI on Saturday.

“Now it will be easy to get more support from the sports ministry. We must put together a plan to ensure we perform well in Rio,” he said. Mathias admitted that there will be high expectations but the team will set realistic targets.

Skipper Ritu Rani echoed Mathias’ views and said qualification has reduced the pressure. “It’s a big achievement for us to actually qualify. We haven’t celebrated as yet but there will be one. It takes away the pressure from us,” she said.

Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who was bestowed the Arjuna Award on Saturday, congratulated the women’s team and said they deserved it.