Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
China attacked relentlessly in the Asian Games women’s hockey final, but India stayed disciplined and followed coach Sjoerd Marijne’s simple message: defend well, keep running and never lose focus.
India beat defending champions China 1-0 on Friday to win their first women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games since 1982. Lalremsiami’s first-quarter goal proved enough as India produced a strong defensive display to hold on to their lead.
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The victory also secured India’s automatic qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I always tell the girls that the basics are good defending, discipline and keeping on running. It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or the circumstances are not good. You can always run, and that’s what we did today as a team,” Marijne said after the match.
China enjoyed long spells of possession and put India’s defence under sustained pressure, but the Indian players remained organised and protected their lead.
Goalkeepers Savita Punia and Bichu Devi played important roles, with Savita making a crucial penalty-stroke save to deny China an equaliser.
“Amazing (penalty save). But also Bichu and the way they have been doing this together. I have never seen two individuals helping each other so much,” Marijne said.
“They both play in the same position, but every time they bring out the best in each other. That is a compliment to both of them. And now it is Savita who made this beautiful save,” he added.
Marijne admitted India did not have their best game in terms of possession but said his players were effective when it mattered.
“In terms of ball possession, it was not our best game. But it is about who is more effective. Today, we were very effective,” he said.
The Dutch coach also praised the entire team and support staff for their contribution to the gold-medal win.
“But it was really a team performance, not just from the players but also from the support staff. Everybody had a big role in this,” he said.
Marijne said discipline and working for each other had been among the biggest changes in the team.
“I think one of the biggest changes has been discipline, and secondly, working for each other. I always say that if you focus on the team goal, you will achieve your individual goal. If you focus on your individual goal, you will not achieve the team goal,” he said.
India’s gold also marked a major turnaround for a team that missed the Paris Olympics after failing to qualify.
Marijne, however, said the team must now focus on improving rather than celebrating the victory for too long.
“The real work has already started. We have to keep building on this. We want to improve, and our main focus is on ourselves and what we need to do better,” he said.
He also identified ball retention as an area India need to improve after China’s pressing made it difficult for them to keep possession.
“We must keep the ball longer as a team. I saw a little nervousness in the first quarter, which can happen,” Marijne said.
“But we were not always able to retain possession, also because of China’s good work. That is something we need to improve,” he added.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
