Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Marijne urges Indian women’s hockey team to stay sharp
India’s women’s hockey team is preparing for the Asian Games.
Coach Sjoerd Marijne says the team may get more chances to score against lower-ranked opponents.
He wants the players to stay focused and not become overconfident.
India recently finished fifth at the World Cup, its best result since 1974.
The team missed the semifinals after drawing 0-0 with Australia.
Marijne hopes that disappointment will encourage the players to win Asian Games gold.
He says strong defence and teamwork are major strengths.
The team has also been adjusting to Japan’s more humid conditions.
Coach Sjoerd Marijne warned India to remain focused against lower-ranked Asian Games opponents.
Apart from China, every Asian Games women’s hockey team is ranked below India.
India finished fifth at the World Cup, its best result since 1974.
Marijne wants the team’s disappointment at missing the World Cup semifinals to motivate an Asian Games gold-medal bid.
He highlighted disciplined defending, humility, unity and acclimatisation as important to India’s performance.
- Who
- India’s women’s hockey team, led by coach Sjoerd Marijne and captain Salima Tete.
- What
- The team is preparing for the Asian Games, with Marijne urging focus against lower-ranked opponents.
- When
- The comments were reported on September 15, after the World Cup and before India’s Asian Games match against Uzbekistan.
- Where
- Marijne spoke from Japan, where the team was acclimatising.
- Why
- He wants India to convert scoring opportunities, build on its World Cup performance and pursue the Asian Games gold medal.
- World Cup result
- India finished fifth, its best performance since the inaugural edition in 1974.
- World Cup record
- India lost only one match during the tournament.
- Missed opportunity
- A 0-0 draw against Australia prevented India from reaching the semifinals.
- Asian Games rankings
- Apart from China, all competing teams are ranked below India.
- Next opponent
- India was scheduled to face Uzbekistan.
- Team strength
- Marijne identified disciplined defence as one of India’s biggest strengths.
- Acclimatisation
- The team was adjusting to Japan’s more humid conditions.