K. ARUMUGAM in Tokyo

Goalkeeper for Team India at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Jude Menezes has since migrated to New Zealand. He took with him his hockeyware and in good time merged with his adopted country’s efforts in the sport. Now, coach of New Zealand’s women’s team for the second Olympic running, he took time off to reflect on the team fielded by his country of origin that is making waves in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Your women’s team is playing a new brand of the game. I would tell them to just keep playing and enjoying their hockey. “I now see in the Indian team a sense of belief. At the 2018 World Cup where they lost to Ireland in the quarterfinals, they played with a lot of fear”.

“Sjoerd (Marijne) has done a great job with them. They have confidence and belief now,” Menezes said.

“It’s so nice to watch them come out and play against Australia in the Quarterfinals which they won. There was so much self-belief in what they did.

“They were so calm under pressure, did not panic like they used to earlier and did a great job to get to the semi-finals. A very creditable performance,” Menezes, who hails from Mumbai, said.

If he were to be the coach of India, would he have any concerns for the semifinal against Argentina?

Former Indian goalkeeper Jude Menezes now in Tokyo as Asst. Coach of NZ women’s national team

Menezes’ was a heart-warming reply. “It’s a big occasion but forget it’s a semi-final. Treat it as just another game. Do what you do really well and bring it to the game. About all other pressures, just don’t think about them.”

On whether the Indian girls match Argentina in fitness, Jude’s answer was in the affirmative.

“Yes, of course they do. Argentina are very skillful but can also be indisciplined in terms of cards. If India play smart hockey and score early, it might unsettle the Argentineans,” he opined.

Note: We had an extensive talk with Jude Menezes. These will follow shortly. Watch out this space