Focusing on reaching quarterfinals: Marijne
‘We are going to the Olympics not just to participate but to achieve something’
The Indian women’s hockey team will be appearing in its second consecutive Olympics at Tokyo and coach Sjoerd Marijne insists the team’s focus is firmly on realising its optimum potential.
“The team’s focus has grown in the last few years, but the really important moments were the matches against Argentina. It’s not just about the mindset but also about good results. Against Argentina, I showed them that we entered more in their circle and created more opportunities but they scored more.
“I am not making things up, only showing them the reality that we were creating more chances than Argentina. Their confidence has grown and there is belief that we are going to the Olympics not just to participate but to achieve something,” the Dutchman said during a virtual interaction on Thursday.
But while expectations are high, Marijne also believes in tempering them with reality. “If we are realistic, only three teams are ranked below us at the Olympics, so I don’t know what the expectations are based on. Probably because we have done well in the last four years. We are focusing on reaching the quarterfinals and from there anything can happen.
“That doesn’t mean we are not good enough, just that we are realistic.”
