How Sjoerd Marijne led India to their best Women’s Hockey World Cup finish in 52 years

New Delhi: India's women's hockey team coach, Sjoerd Marijne, defended his decision to take leave before the upcoming FIH World Cup. He insisted that his absence did not hinder the team's preparations and that he remained closely involved throughout the build-up to the tournament. Marijne's departure had raised questions from former India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who wondered if a team could perform at its best with its chief coach away during the final phase of preparation.

However, Marijne clarified that his absence did not mean he was disconnected from the team or unaware of what was happening. He stated that he had observed every training session, match, conducted meetings, and had personal contact with the players, ensuring he was well-informed about the team's progress. The coach emphasized that the remaining staff also played a crucial role in preparing the team for the World Cup.

Marijne, who returned for his second stint as India's coach in January, expressed his desire for the team to continue raising the bar. He urged the players to maintain their hunger and eagerness to achieve more, even after their fifth-place finish at the World Cup. The Dutch coach highlighted the team's unique advantage of having players who had already competed against higher-ranked teams and experienced major tournaments, making it easier for the players to adapt and perform at a high level.

One of Marijne's primary focuses during his second stint was to rebuild the team's collective identity, shifting the mindset from "I" to "we" and instilling discipline. He credited his experience working with and guiding other coaches for helping him become a better coach. The coach hopes that India's World Cup performance will generate greater interest in women's hockey among young players in the country.

He expressed optimism about the team's reaction, noting that people are positive and following their journey. Marijne hopes that by inspiring young kids to start playing hockey, the team will contribute to the growth and development of the sport in India.