The Hindu: The boys have become more consistent: Sjoerd Marijne

Uthra Ganesan

Inconsistency is considered the single most important reason for the Indian hockey team’s failure in big tournaments. Coach Sjoerd Marijne had admitted as much after his maiden assignment at the Asia Cup.

Returning after eight games over two legs in New Zealand on Tuesday, the Dutchman’s doubts have been laid to rest.

“We have become more consistent,” is his instant reply when asked about the takeaway from the tour.

The results might say the four teams fared as per their world rankings but Marijne insisted it was more than that.

“This tour, for me, was not all about results, it was also about performance. I am looking at statistics and they say we were equal to Belgium. They had their full squad and we had a lot of youngsters with us and were very competitive so that makes me really happy,” he said.

Need to improve

Admittedly, the team needs to improve a lot more to challenge the top sides in major tournaments. But Marijne is confident.

“We lose fewer balls, there are fewer errors, all these small things add up to doing really well as a team. We can create pressure on players to test them. I put a lot on this tour. A good player is not just skills but fitness too, he performs under pressure also.

“Of course, we have to be realistic and make progress, if we accept that everything is perfect then that doesn’t work,” Marijne said.

The team has a lot of travel ahead but the coach isn’t complaining.

His ‘player-driven coaching system’ was already showing results, he insisted, and the players were more open to taking decisions.

“They learn to make decisions. I am advising them, asking them questions and finally they learn to take the right decisions.

“It started at the Asia Cup and now they are learning, they want to have information about tactical things that improves their position, they make their choice and then they can use their individual skills, so I am really happy that it is working.

“Ultimately, it is all about will power, how much they want to play for India and want to improve. Instead of me telling them all the time what to do, it has to be the other way around, they have to show me how much they want to learn and, if I give advice, do they also accept it,” Marijne said.