WE NEED TO PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE, SAYS OLTMANS
Ipoh (Malaysia), May 7: India may have climbed up to no. 6 in world rankings but their ability to cope with pressure remains suspect, feels national men’s hockey coach Roelant Oltmans.
India seemed under pressure in closing stages of the recent Azlan Shah Cup tournament — where they finished with a bronze — and were also found wanting in tricky situations.
“We can play fantastic hockey and we have shown that often, but you need to prove your ability when there is real pressure,” says Oltmans.
“A couple of players are not yet able to perform up to our expectations when the intensity of the encounter increases, but luckily we have enough time to improve that,” he said. “There are some important tournaments coming up during this year. We must look at the bigger picture.”
In the last league match against Malaysia, India seemed to wilt under pressure needing to win by at least two goals to seal a final berth.
“I don’t know, but I feel you have to be able to cope with that kind of pressure. If you really want to become a team who can compete with the best in the world, then you should have known how to score those two goals,” says the Dutchman.
“We are not there yet. I am sure if Germany would have been playing that situation, they would have scored two or maybe three goals.
“That India still aren’t able to do it, marks the difference between us and the top sides in the world. That’s where work needs to be done,” he added.
Bracing for the World League Semi-finals in London in June, the squad will take a week’s break before reassembling for a training camp in Bengaluru.