Indian Express: Players need to fight for a place in the team: Roelant Oltmans

By Mihir Vasavda

Roelant Oltmans looks back at the Olympic campaign, talks about the new Olympic cycle and his future with the team.

After a bitter-sweet Olympic campaign, the Indian hockey team returned to the turf earlier this week. The camp for the last two tournaments of the year ? the Asian Champions Trophy next month and an invitational tournament in Australia in November ? kicked off at the SAI South Centre in Bangalore. In an interview with The Indian Express, chief coach Roelant Oltmans looks back at the Olympic campaign, talks about the new Olympic cycle and his future with the team. Excerpts:

How tough is it to get back in the zone after the Olympics?

That should not be a problem. At the Olympics, our players have realised they have come much closer to the top teams in the world. But at the same time, there are still quite a number of steps we need to take to be among the top teams in the world. Everyone should understand that a new Olympic cycle has started with this camp. They have something to look forward to. The whole team has reached at the SAI Centre. Of course, it will take a little time to recover from the Olympics but we had one week (break) in Rio itself, then a couple of days off here before they were played in different domestic competitions. Now, they are back at the camp and the first impression is they are eager, which is the most important thing.

What is the primary focus of this camp?

There are always a couple of things that we need to work on. Like I said, we are heading in the right direction. But we know that in possession as well as off it, there are things we need to learn. We are putting a lot of pressure on the opponent but are not getting more out of it. We are not consistent enough in taking our opportunities. We will improve on it with experience but we also need to change our style of approach.

You’ve spent a little more than a year as the chief coach of the team. How do you look back at this period?

I am happy with the two medals we have won at the World League and the Champions Trophy. But I am a bit disappointed with our final result at the Olympics (India finished 8th).

Disappointing in what way?

We played pretty well especially in the first four games, where we were really competitive and beat the Olympic champions. So that shows we are not too far off from achieving what we want to achieve. But our performances against Canada and Belgium showed the areas we need to work on. They are the ones I mentioned above. That is more or less about it.

A few former players have been critical of the performance of Sardar Singh, Ramandeep Singh and some other players at the Olympics. How do you analyse that?

I won’t pay attention to what has been said. They do not know what instructions I have given to my players. For me, they executed their duties pretty well.

Will there be any changes in the playing group?

We are starting a new Olympic cycle. Everyone will have to show they want to be a part of it and deserve to be there. We have two more tournaments this year (Asian Champions Trophy in October and another in Australia in November), and then the Hockey India League. After the league, a new group of core probables will be chosen. At the same time, there will not be many players who will be too old to play in 2020 or won’t have the quality to play till then. So you don’t need to change much.

Any particular position where you feel there is a pressing need for back-ups?

No, we have a number of good defenders and midfielders. There will always will be an eye for new talent and I am sure a couple of boys will emerge from the junior World Cup and the league. Again, every player will have to fight for a berth in the group.

How important is the continuity factor in terms of coach, support staff and the playing group?

That is always difficult to say. I believe it will be important to have some continuity. Once again, the core of the team will stay so that is good because you don’t have to start all over again. It takes time for new players to get used to our playing style and our demands on and off the field. So it is good we will have continuity in that sense.

Finally, what about your future with the team? Will you stay on?

I won’t say yes, I won’t say no. The review of the Olympics is remaining and after that we will have further discussions. (But) the fact that I am still here says something.