India Women's Hockey Team Gears Up for Asian Games After World Cup Success

Confidence from World Cup Achievement

Sjoerd Marijne, the coach of the India women's hockey team, believes that their remarkable fifth-place finish at the World Cup has instilled confidence in his players as they prepare for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

India secured their best World Cup result in 52 years by defeating Germany in the classification match. Marijne asserts that competing against top-tier teams has provided his players with firsthand evidence of their capabilities, which is more impactful than mere encouragement from a coach. He stated, 'I can tell them many times, “Okay, we are a good team, you can do it,” but they have to experience it themselves.'

Having faced elite teams, the players now understand that they can compete and even triumph over them, as demonstrated by their victory against Germany, a team Marijne considers among the top four globally.

Shifting Focus to the Asian Games

As the Asian Games approach, Marijne acknowledged that the team has had limited time to reflect on their World Cup journey. He remarked, 'Sometimes you would like to have a little bit more time to really realize what happened because when you're in the moment, you don't always realize.'

However, he emphasized the need to concentrate on the upcoming Asian Games, expressing satisfaction with their World Cup position, which boosts the team's confidence.

The Asian Games also present a crucial opportunity for India, as the gold medalist will secure a spot for the LA 2028 Olympics. India will face formidable opponents, including China, Japan, and South Korea.

Prioritizing Performance Over Outcomes

Marijne is keen to keep his players focused on their performance rather than the Olympic qualification implications. He stated, 'For us, it's about ourselves. Focus on our own performance and doing that well.'

The Dutch coach refrained from speculating about winning the Asian Games gold, preferring to concentrate on the immediate challenges. 'I don't believe in “if.” I'm sorry, I know you want to have an answer, but I'm not going to jinx things,' he said, showing respect for their competitors.

Managing Pressure and Expectations

Marijne highlighted that an excessive focus on potential outcomes could create unnecessary pressure. He prefers to concentrate on what the players need at any given moment, which helps him manage controllable factors. 'Outcomes like, “Oh, if we win this” or “if we lose that one,” that creates stress,' he explained.

By focusing on the immediate needs of the players, he can maintain control over the situation.

Aspirations for Continued Growth

The coach is heartened by the team's desire for further improvement. Despite their historic World Cup finish, the players are not entirely satisfied, which allows Marijne to continue elevating the team's standards. 'They're hungry for more, and I think that is the spirit you need to have if you are acting on the highest level,' he noted.

Marijne appreciates this mindset, as it enables him to set increasingly higher benchmarks. His immediate focus remains on India's opening match against Uzbekistan, emphasizing the importance of concentrating on the present.