Indian Women’s Hockey Team Prepares for Major Tournaments Under Sjoerd Marijne
In a pivotal year for Indian hockey, both the men’s and women’s teams are gearing up for the World Cup and the Asian Games. The women’s team, led by head coach Sjoerd Marijne in his second term, successfully qualified for the World Cup earlier this year and is now focusing on crucial areas that require improvement ahead of their upcoming challenges.
Focus on Fitness and Recovery
Since taking over in February 2026, Marijne has prioritized enhancing the fitness levels of his squad. He reported that at the time of his appointment, 14 players were injured, complicating preparations for World Cup qualifiers. Balancing tactical preparation with adequate rest proved challenging during this period. Since then, the team has engaged in training camps supplemented by tours to Argentina and Australia.
During the tour in Australia, India played four closely contested matches; they lost the opening game 1-2, then won in a shootout, followed by a victory of 2-0, and ended with a 2-3 loss. These performances illustrate the team’s upward trajectory. Marijne has worked closely with strength and conditioning coach Wayne Lombard to create personalized recovery programs for players, emphasizing that recovery during camps is crucial due to their intensity.
“If we feel today, it’s better that a player does recovery, then we don’t give her a stick,” Marijne stated, referring to his individualized approach to player management. Notably, the number of injuries has decreased from 14 to two, although key players Sangita Kumari and Vaishnavi Vittal Phalke are currently sidelined with ACL injuries.
Enhancing Team Tactics
Marijne also aims to improve the team’s pressing strategies and efficiency in converting scoring opportunities. He highlighted that India struggled with chance conversion in the World Cup qualifiers, managing only a 14.2% success rate from penalty corners, converting six out of 42. The team’s overall conversion rate from open play was similarly low. Marijne believes in coaching players to be positioned correctly and practicing techniques to make quick decisions in critical moments.
Captain Salima Tete echoed this sentiment, noting that India’s forwards often rush their shots in the circle. She remarked, “It’s the little things that make a big difference. So if I can take a touch in the circle to give me a better position, then I shouldn’t take a first-time shot from a worse position.” This self-awareness of the team’s abilities and limitations is crucial for their development.
Targeting Success in the FIH Nations Cup
The FIH Nations Cup is a significant tournament for Marijne and the team, as it provides a pathway back to the FIH Pro League after last year’s relegation. Marijne’s clear objective is to win this tournament, which also serves as a vital stepping stone in improving performances ahead of the World Cup and Asian Games later this year. He noted the importance of qualifying for the Pro League, stating, “Playing in those matches, you see Ireland is improving. They have been playing [the Pro League for] a year, so that would be amazing.”
As India faces a challenging World Cup group with China and England, the experience gained from recent matches, including upcoming games against Japan and the USA in the Nations Cup, will be instrumental in gauging their readiness and performance level.
Upcoming Schedule for FIH Nations Cup 2026, New Zealand
- June 15: India vs USA at 4:15 a.m. IST
- June 16: India vs Japan at 6:30 a.m. IST
- June 18: India vs Uruguay at 4:15 a.m. IST
- June 20: Semifinals
- June 21: Final
Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn
