Archive · 22 Aug 2026
India Coach Challenges Tight World Cup Schedule After Netherlands Loss
India lost 0-2 to the Netherlands at the FIH World Cup.
India’s coach, Sjoerd Marijne, said his team had to play matches on consecutive days.
The Netherlands had one day to rest before the game.
Marijne believed the schedule may have contributed to India making technical mistakes.
He compared the schedule with football World Cups, where teams do not play back-to-back matches.
The Netherlands coach, Raoul Ehren, disagreed that the schedule was a major problem.
He said modern hockey players are fit enough to play several matches in a short time.
He also said he did not notice clear tiredness among the Indian players.
India coach Sjoerd Marijne criticised the FIH World Cup schedule after India lost 0-2 to the Netherlands.
India played England one day before facing the Netherlands, while the Dutch team had a day of rest.
Marijne said consecutive matches may have contributed to India’s technical errors, without claiming rest would have changed the result.
Dutch coach Raoul Ehren said modern hockey players are fit enough to manage demanding schedules.
Ehren said he saw no obvious signs of fatigue among India’s players during the match.
- Who
- India, coached by Sjoerd Marijne, and the Netherlands, coached by Raoul Ehren.
- What
- The Netherlands defeated India 2-0, prompting debate over the FIH World Cup schedule.
- When
- After India’s second-round match, following its final pool match against England one day earlier.
- Where
- At the FIH World Cup.
- Why
- Marijne attributed India’s technical errors partly to consecutive matches, while Ehren said modern players can handle the schedule.
India Coach’s Scheduling Concerns
Netherlands Coach’s Fitness Argument
Effect of consecutive matches
India Coach’s Scheduling Concerns
Sjoerd Marijne said playing on consecutive days placed India at a disadvantage and contributed to technical errors, while acknowledging that extra rest might not have changed the result.
Netherlands Coach’s Fitness Argument
Raoul Ehren said modern hockey players are sufficiently fit to handle tight schedules and did not see obvious fatigue in India’s players.
World Cup scheduling standards
India Coach’s Scheduling Concerns
Marijne questioned whether back-to-back matches belong in a World Cup, comparing hockey unfavorably with football World Cups.
Netherlands Coach’s Fitness Argument
Ehren pointed to the Pro League’s format, saying teams play four matches in five days, suggesting demanding schedules are manageable.
- Result
- Netherlands defeated India 2-0.
- India’s schedule
- India played England one day before facing the Netherlands.
- Netherlands’ rest
- The Netherlands had one day of rest before the match.
- India coach
- Sjoerd Marijne questioned whether the schedule was suitable for a World Cup.
- Netherlands coach
- Raoul Ehren said players are fit enough to manage tight schedules.
- Ehren’s observation
- He said he saw no obvious fatigue in India’s players.
- Comparison cited
- Marijne said football World Cups do not feature back-to-back matches.