‘We can compete against the very best at World Cup’
NEW DELHI: Janneke Schopman has done it all as a player. Olympics, World Cup, European Championship, Champions Trophy—the 45-year-old has a gold medal hanging in her trophy cabinet back home in Haarlem from each major event. Now it’s time to do an encore, but as coach. The Dutch woman’s biggest test as chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team will begin when they play the World Cup in Netherlands and Spain from July 1-17. Excerpts:
India went to Olympics with barely any match time. This year they head to the World Cup after a solid Pro League campaign...*
As a player you need high level games where there’s something at stake. Pro League helped tremendously; playing different styles, learning something in every game. Netherlands, Germany, Spain; all were a little bit different. For me (it is about if we) can play to our level? If we can, we can compete with pretty much everyone.
Which are the areas where India need to improve?
What you look for in top teams is that they’re able to win even when they’re not playing well. It’s the consistency of phases where we might get under pressure. The ability to survive those moments, get back into the game and play our own style is something we need. We have improved but we have to be
What improvements have you seen since you joined as analytical coach in 2020?
They are making decisions themselves. Of course, we make plans tactically. But as you saw against USA, I need players, individually and as a team, to make those decisions on the field. Like ‘if this isn’t working, let’s do this’. Sometimes they default and look at me. The teams that are successful are able to do it on the field. If I’m saying stuff from the outside of course I can help. But I’m always one second late because I am not playing. The ability for them to see what’s happening and to act right away; we’ve made great strides there. That’s where Pro League helped.
Target at the World Cup?
There are always dreams... but can we perform the way I know we can? In the last two weeks against Argentina, we were able to. In women’s hockey Holland is at the top and Argentina is No 2. When we have a good day, we can compete against them. That is for every other team. But against Belgium we didn’t. We left so much out there, then it’s on me as a coach that says ‘my team has not performed’. I know they can. If you talk of expectations, I want them to just play and we can do good things. We play some really good teams, so if they are better, then as a coach I can live with that.
Is the team prepared to play two major back-toback events?
It’s exciting to play big events. In a perfect world, it’s a little more spaced apart but that’s why you train so hard. You want to play these big events. Right now, our focus is the World Cup. We want to make sure we’re ready for the first game. At the same time in the back of your mind you know there’s another tournament where something is at stake. But let’s take one step at a time.
How has the team handled the spotlight ever since Tokyo Olympics?
It’s tough to have the spotlight on you. It’s good but you (continue to) play because of your passion. The moment you get attention, you inspire people. That as an athlete is not why you do it but it’s very rewarding. That’s how our team feels. It’s an incredible honour to represent India and inspire people. At the same time, they also know that’s all on the outside and we have to focus on what we can influence; that’s being on the field together and making sure we do our jobs well. The team is trying to just focus on what we can control— that is run and play hockey.