With an eye on Tokyo, Marijne’s girls ready for final flourish

The pressure of expectations that has been hovering over coach Sjoerd Marijne would have risen a notch when India played three-time Asian Games’ champions China on Wednesday. A loss in the semi-final could have spelt doom for many.

So, Marijne was at it right from the start, shouting instructions and screaming at the slightest of errors from his wards. The teams were locked 0-0 at breather and the pep talk at break did the trick for India. They were a completely different unit after the switch and in the end a solitary goal, eight minutes from time by Gurjit Kaur, was enough to see them through to a historic final after 20 years where Japan lie in wait on Friday.

Certainly, the brain behind India’s success was Marijne. He has transformed these young girls into a formidable brigade and, more importantly, with a will to excel. And he will be hoping for one last hurrah.

Victory will also ensure India direct qualification for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. “We need to remember the remaining two quarters of the match, which we played against China, and that style of playing would be helpful to us in executing our plans against Japan,” said Marijne.

“It’s not going to be an easy match against Japan. They are growing as a team and being the host of the Olympics in 2020, they would like to finish on top. But we need to play our best hockey tomorrow to stop them from winning,” he said. “In fact, our girls should pick up the best things from the match against China,” said Marijne after accepting that India didn’t play to potential against China in the first half.

“They were too reactive and not proactive. It was bit frustrating. I am the coach and my job is to ensure the team plays to its potential but that didn’t happen in the first half (against China). We need to ensure that is not repeated against Japan.”

Captain Rani Rampal, yet to recover from niggling injuries in her shoulder and ankle, will have to be at her best. “Yes, there are small issues about my fitness, but they are nothing to worry about,” she said.

JAKARTA: INDIA V JAPAN IN ASIAD HOCKEY

Year Venue New Delhi Result India beat Japan 3-0 India drew with Japan 1-1

AFP India players look stunned after Malaysia defeated them in their Asian Games hockey semifinal match in Jakarta on Thursday.

PTI India women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal (right) is recovering from a shoulder and ankle niggle but will play in Friday’s final.