4 min learnMight 15, 2026 10:32 PM IST
In a season filled with big-ticket occasions just like the Asian Video games and the World Cup, India’s ladies’s hockey staff coach Sjoerd Marijne is concentrated on minimising accidents and sustaining consistency.
“After I took cost in January, my first step was to do away with numerous accidents. We have been nearly 14, after which the qualification for the World Cup was vital, so there was no time for growth, no time for managing the load, and after that, we had a very good tour to Argentina,” Marijne instructed the media in an interplay facilitated by SAI.
India lately performed out a 2-2 attract a four-match Check sequence in opposition to the second-ranked Argentina, however has been plagued with accidents for the reason that Dutchman returned as coach in January. Sangita Kumari and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke are at present out attributable to ACL accidents.
“Argentina is No. 2 on this planet, and we may get to know the benchmark of world hockey. The benchmark was crucial from there on, we had extra time to work on the health within the camp. And now we are going to head to Australia, the place we may have apply matches there and see them play a distinct type than Argentina,” he mentioned.
India goes to tour Australia and play 4 matches on the Perth Hockey Stadium within the build-up to the FIH Nations Cup from June 15 in Auckland, New Zealand. They should win the match to regain entry into the Professional League after being relegated final yr.
“Australia goes to be a vital tour for us, and I need to proceed the great habits from the Argentina tour. We performed very well within the final two video games on the tour, and I wish to see the identical behaviour in opposition to Australia,” he added additional.
Indian skipper Salima Tete additionally concurred with the pinnacle coach concerning sustaining self-discipline and continuity. “The women are actually working exhausting by way of health, everybody is aware of the significance of health. If we’re match, we are able to beat any staff. Self-discipline can beat any staff. The Australia tour will probably be an excellent preparation for us, and we are going to give our greatest,” she mentioned.
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Nevertheless, the eyes of the Indian ladies’s hockey staff stay on two marquee occasions of the yr: the Asian Video games, which can present the 2028 LA Olympics pathway and the World Cup. “We is not going to solely play matches, however we even have coaching there and from there on we transfer to the Nations Cup. All these tournaments, all these matches should result in good preparation for the Asian Video games,” mentioned Marijne.
One of many key areas of concern has been the dearth of conversion from the penalty corners. India employed Dutch legend and one of many world’s most feared penalty nook specialists , Taeke Taekema, to sort out the issue.
“He has been with the staff for 2 weeks now. He may even be a part of the Australia and New Zealand tour. It’s one thing we are able to enhance on, however we aren’t the one ones struggling. One good factor is that Tae has been with China, so he is aware of lots about bettering PCs. I additionally used him on the defending a part of penalty corners. So, it’s actually good to have him round,” Marijne mentioned whereas praising the extra variety of specialist coaches within the workers this time as in comparison with his earlier stint.
When requested if the Australia tour will act as the choice trials for the ladies, Marijne mentioned,”Each tour, each camp, each match is for me a variety trial for the subsequent tour or camp. So, it by no means stops and is a steady course of. In Australia, the ladies will get worldwide publicity, and that’s vital for me. Whereas it is very important enhance within the camps, enjoying on the worldwide stage is all the time completely different.”