Why India hockey coach feels playing with Pakistan isn’t necessary

Sjoerd Marijne feels the biggest achievement from the Hockey World League Final 2017 is the confidence the Indian players have gained that they can beat any team in the world. He also said that for Asia to remain a force in international hockey, it’s not necessary for India and Pakistan to play each other.

Ajai Masand


India defeated a spirited but depleted Germany 2-1 to clinch the bronze medal at the Hockey World League Final on Sunday.

Sjoerd Marijne would have never thought in his wildest dreams that he would be in the hot seat, charting the future of the Indian men’s hockey team. Until two-and-a-half months back, he was women’s team chief coach, and this elevation would have caught him by surprise.