“The Fact That We Don’t Have to Go Through Those Stressful Qualification Moments Is a Very Good Feeling”: Sjoerd Marijne on LA28

You spoke about creating unity, discipline and a strong team culture. How difficult was it to bring the players together and make them believe in these values?

Sjoerd Marijne: Thank you for the compliments. But it is not just me. The whole staff has played an important role, and I have a very good staff.

The first step was creating unity. We discussed what behaviour and culture we wanted in the team and what culture we had in the past. We brought that culture back. Discipline is a very important part of it, but enjoyment and having fun are also important.

Most importantly, I believe in focusing on team goals. Sometimes individuals focus only on themselves, and then they may not achieve their goals. Focusing on the team’s goals helps you achieve your individual goals. These are some of the things we have accomplished together with the staff.

India were often criticised for lacking mental strength, especially against strong teams like China in high-pressure matches. The penalty stroke save in the final showed how well the team handled pressure. How did you prepare the players mentally for that match?

Marijne: You always have to look at your key performance indicators. One of them is defending really well, and that is what we saw at the World Cup. We also saw how Argentina beat the Netherlands in the final by defending well.

That is the first thing we need to do properly, and it requires running and hard work. I think we did that really well in the final. When you defend well, it becomes very difficult for the opposition to score.

At the same time, when you get an opportunity, you have to finish it. That is what we did. It was a beautiful moment for Sharmila in her 200th international appearance.

We also have the quality of players like Savita, who can make important saves. At the World Cup, we saw another great save from our goalkeeper.

It is about individuals showing their skills and talent at the right moments while remaining part of the team. We also have young players who played at the World Cup and the Asian Games.

It is a good mix of talented players. The senior players take the lead, take ownership and set an example. The juniors are disciplined. That is how we have recreated a unit in which everybody understands their responsibilities.

For us, the final was like an examination. We had spent the whole year studying and playing matches, and now it was time for the test. I told the girls that we had to be prepared, and we passed that test because we were very well prepared.

In the semi-final against Korea, India had eight penalty corners but could not convert them initially. How do you prepare the team to adapt when Plan A does not work and find other ways to score?

Marijne: We are constantly working on different plans. In the final, for example, if the match had remained level with only a few minutes left, our Plan B was to take it to the shootouts. We are very confident in our shootouts.

That was one example of our Plan B. During the tournament, we also created a lot of chances. When you are one goal behind, you know you need to create more, and we worked on those situations as well.

We don’t just have Plan A and Plan B. We also have Plans C and D. The staff and I are constantly working on these plans to prepare the players. We have different ways of dealing with pressure. If one approach does not work, we move to another.

When we spoke in the Netherlands during the World Cup, you said you wanted about a year and a half to prepare for the Olympics. You said winning the Asian Games gold would give you that opportunity. Now India has won gold and qualified for LA28. How important is this preparation time?

Marijne: It is no longer about asking what if. It is going to happen.

Normally, if we had not qualified, we would have had to prepare for the qualification matches in March 2028. If we qualified, we could continue with the next steps.

Now we do not have to think about whether we will qualify. All the plans we are making and all our preparation are focused on LA28.

The Netherlands and the host country are the only teams that already know they will be at the Olympics. The rest of the world still has to fight for their places.

The fact that we do not have to go through those stressful qualification moments anymore is a very good feeling. Now we will evaluate the final, look at what we can improve and continue working towards Los Angeles.

Was introducing new players and creating competition within the squad a conscious plan? Did the Hockey India League play a role in your vision?

Marijne: Absolutely. I believe competition makes players better. It is not always nice for the players, but if they feel too safe, they will not improve.

We constantly push them outside their comfort zones. That is part of being an athlete.

Young players bring new energy to the team. We have introduced some new and young players, but they also understand that they need to be very disciplined if they want to come into the team.

As long as they continue to work hard, they can make mistakes. That happened in the final as well. The important thing is to keep working hard and learning.

Shilpi Dabas’ journey is particularly interesting. She was not part of the camp for a long time and initially did not get an opportunity, but you eventually selected her, and she has gone on to make a big impact. What did you see in Shilpi that made you believe she deserved that opportunity, and what convinced you that she could succeed at this level?

Marijne: I cannot speak about the period before I joined because I was not part of that process, and I do not like talking about the previous coach.

I saw Shilpi and spoke to her Hockey India League coach, Sophie Geerts. I watched her timing and felt she had the qualities needed to defend. I invited her to the camp, and she arrived on the morning of the trials.

She has good timing as a defender. The first thing a defender needs to do is defend well. After that, other aspects of the game can develop.

She has a good high ball and a hard slap. She needed time to adjust from domestic hockey to the international level, but she did really well.

I do not think she would have imagined in January that, by the end of the year, she would be part of a team that finished fifth at the World Cup and won Asian Games gold.

Do you believe her journey can inspire more young Indian girls to take up hockey and believe that if they have the talent, they too can get an opportunity to represent India?

Marijne: That is exactly what we are trying to do. It is also what happened with the Olympics in 2021. These achievements inspire people.

There is something bigger than winning a gold medal, and that is creating a legacy. That is what the girls have done this year.

They will always be remembered. They will receive prize money and rewards for winning the gold medal, but being remembered for the rest of their lives is one of the biggest achievements they can have.

I am very happy for the girls and the staff.

After the Asian Games gold and LA28 qualification, do you feel Indian hockey is back on track, and is there enough time to prepare for the Olympics?

Marijne: We have more time now, and I think we have more depth in the squad. Those are positive things, but we still have many steps to take.

We are doing really well defensively, but we need to improve our ball possession and create more chances. That will take time.

I am happy that we have the Pro League because we will play against all the strong countries. Playing those matches will help us in our preparation and development.

You were given a clear task when you joined in January. After World Cup qualification, a fifth-place finish at the World Cup and Asian Games gold, how do you look back at your first year as coach?

Marijne: This year has been amazing. What I remember most about this year is the enjoyment with the team and the staff. I am enjoying what I am doing.

The enjoyment comes because we all work hard, but we also know when we can have fun together. That is what I remember most about our victories.

Personally, I do not spend much time thinking about my career. What makes me very happy is seeing the emotions of people in India and how happy they are about what we have achieved.

My phone has been filled with messages on social media and personal apps from people telling me how emotional they have been, with some even crying. Knowing that we have helped people experience these emotions makes me very happy.

(Transcribed by Shourjyani Chatterjee)

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