India women’s hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne believes the side’s recent FIH Nations Cup triumph is an encouraging step forward but insists there is still significant room for improvement ahead of the World Cup and Asian Games later this year.

India secured promotion back to the FIH Pro League after defeating hosts New Zealand 2-0 in the Nations Cup final in Auckland on Sunday. While pleased with the achievement, Marijne stressed that converting chances into field goals remains a major area of focus.

“We created enough opportunities in every match, but we don’t score enough field goals. That’s something we need to keep working on,” Marijne said during a virtual interaction on Wednesday.

The Dutch coach praised India’s defensive discipline, particularly in the knockout stages. “I was very happy with the way we played in the semifinal and final. Defensively, we were structured, disciplined and strong. We hardly gave away anything to the opposition, and that’s the foundation of the game.”

Marijne, who returned for a second stint as head coach in January, said consistency has been one of the team’s biggest improvements. He noted that the Indian women’s side had previously struggled to maintain the same level of performance from one match to another, but the semifinal and final showed encouraging stability.

Also read: 10m air pistol Jr World C’ship: Vanshika, Shiva win silver

Looking ahead, Marijne wants his players to focus on their own development rather than worrying about opponents. India will open their World Cup campaign against China, a team they are also likely to face at the Asian Games.

“Our focus is on ourselves—what we need to improve and how we want to play. It’s a step-by-step process, and every match will help us get better,” he said.
The coach also highlighted the strong team culture within the squad. According to him, openness, communication and leadership from senior players have played a crucial role in building unity.

“There is a lot of connection between the players. They help and coach each other, whether they are senior or junior. That unity on and off the field is a big positive for us,” Marijne said.

He further emphasised the importance of the mental side of the game, revealing that the coaching staff works closely with players to understand their personalities and how they respond under pressure. Marijne cited an example of veteran goalkeeper Savita stepping in to support a younger teammate during the semifinal, calling such interactions invaluable for team growth.

With a four-week training block scheduled before the World Cup, Marijne hopes India can continue refining their game and build on the momentum generated by their Nations Cup success.