As the
The team is set to embark on a tour to Australia next week, where they will play four practice matches, followed by participation in the Nations Cup in Auckland. These events are seen as vital preparation for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games. Reflecting on their recent tour of Argentina, Marijne expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, noting the need for training and conditioning to adapt to the different playing style of the Australians.
“We had a very good tour of Argentina. We will have training and conditioning sessions as well in Australia, who play a very different style,” Marijne stated during a recent interaction facilitated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). He acknowledged the challenges of managing player fitness, especially given that the team faced 14 injuries when he took over in January. “You cannot create better fitness in one or two months; chances of injuries are much higher, and we want to avoid that,” he added.
Focus on Consistency and Team Culture
Marijne highlighted the significance of the Nations Cup, not only as a chance to return to the Pro League but also as a preparatory step for the World Cup. While he remains optimistic about India's prospects, he refrained from making predictions, acknowledging that other teams are also evolving. “I believe they have the potential, but other teams haven’t been sitting still; they are also developing,” he remarked.
When asked about areas for improvement, Marijne emphasized a holistic approach. “I want to improve everything, but for me, it’s more about behavior and showing the same every time on the field so that it becomes a habit. A good team culture leads to winning matches,” he explained. He believes that enhancing consistency and continuity in their gameplay will elevate the team's performance. “It helps that I know the girls and they know how I work; I am high demanding, but there is also time to relax, and you need to be able to switch quickly between the two,” he concluded.
