New Indian Express: Azlan Shah Cup: Max Effect; Total Hockey

By Swaroop Swaminathan

Max Caldas looks more like a National Football League quarterback than coach of the Netherlands hockey team. He is usually the biggest man in a room and you can totally visualise him running across the field for a winning touchdown. You don’t really want to mess with him. Here as an interested spectator for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Express caught up with him regarding his team, the upcoming Rio Olympics and his relationship with Roelant Oltmans. Excerpts…

On the current Netherlands outfit

We’re happy with what we have. For the first time in a long time, I’m going to have to make a choice. Previously in Holland, who would be travelling, would be known beforehand. Now, all of a sudden, there’s a fight for places. That’s also why I’m here. To be on my own and gather my private thoughts (about team selection). We haven’t won Olympic gold since 2000, which for us is a long time. It’s also 18 years since we won the World Cup, so for a country that has a lot of infrastructure, we’ve been under-performing.

On the group at the Olympics

It looks like a very tricky pool. It’s going to be pretty close, and we’ll have to be at our best to have a chance to progress. In terms of qualified countries, I think Canada is the lowest ranked, but watching them play you think they’re getting better and better. All five games will be close, and about seven teams can win gold. We hope to be amongst those seven. (Netherlands are paired with Germany, Argentina, India, Ireland and Canada in Pool B).

On prepping before the Games

For me, it’s about following India and Canada as much as I can (while I’m here), because they’re in our group. Also seeing where Australia are placed at this point. We’re not going for the Champions Trophy. It’s in the middle of our holidays. I won’t ask players to stop their holidays and work on the event. It starts on June 10 and players are back for training a day earlier. We can’t go there after just one training session.

On the kind of coach he is

I’m a very curious person by nature, and have lots of contacts from coaches of other sports. I’ve tried to organise the staff around me in a very diverse way. The players win and coach tries to facilitate them in different ways.

On an Argentinian living in the Netherlands

I have a Dutch passport now and have been living there for some years now. From Day 1, I never felt like a foreigner. It’s important that you try to adjust in a country that you aren’t from. When it comes to football and supporting a team, I’m Argentinian, but for the rest, I’m Dutch (laughs).

On his relationship with Oltmans

We go back a long way. He was my coach when I played at Klein Zwitserland. I was captain, and we had a close relationship. I know him really well and he’s someone I look up to.