Times of India: It’s time for us to win a medal in a major tournament: Oltmans

RAIPUR: India’s chief coach Roelant Oltmans is a “proud” man after his side stunned Great Britain 2-1 to enter the semifinals of Hockey World League (HWL) Final and the Dutchman feels it’s time for the eight-time Olympic champions to win a medal in a major tournament.

After finishing at the bottom of Pool B, India today produced an inspired performance to get the better of Great Britain, who suffered their first defeat in the tournament.

“We played fantastic hockey in the third quarter. We created fantastic goal scoring opportunities, scored a fantastic goal and was unlucky when Ramandeep (Singh) struck the bar. Akashdeep (Singh) also missed one and that easily could have been three or four. So I would like to look at that side,” Oltmans told reporters in the post-match press conference.

“They put pressure on our defence in the last and final quarter to get back into the game. But I must say in the end we showed the right composure, energy and fighting spirit. And I am proud of what I have seen from the boys today,” Oltmans said.

“It’s nice to be in the semifinals but it’s time to win a medal in a major tournament and this is a major tournament and that’s what we are aiming for,” he added.

Oltmans refused to talk about any individual players and credited the win to team effort.
“I never talk about individual players, I always talk about the team. It is his (Amir Khan’s) first big tournament and so far he showed progress,” he said.

The India coach, however, said inconsistency was a problem which the teams needs to work upon.
“We always go match by match. That always has been my approach. But I always tell the players in a tournament like this it’s about match no. 4 and that is where we have to be at our best. And that is what they have shown today.
“If you ask me whether we will be able to give a performance like this again, then frankly speaking I am not sure about it. But of course in the next two days we will work towards that,” Oltmans said.