‘Argentina tour was about experience’

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 2: Extremely pleased with the fight shown by Indian women hockey team against formidable Argentina, coach Sjoerd Marijne says the recently-concluded “exposure trip” has helped the players understand what it takes to beat a top team.
The Indian core group played out two draws (2-2, 1-1) against the Argentina Junior team and lost two matches (1-2, 2-3) to Argentina ‘B’ team before losing two matches (2-3, 0-2) and eking out a 1-1 draw against the world number two side.
The team will return home on Wednesday after playing their first competitive tour since the coronavirus-induced break.
“In all three matches against the senior women, it was very closely contested, and the matches could have gone either way. Even the match where we lost 0-2, they (Argentina) were very effective, but our quality of play was very high in that game,” Marijne said in a release issued by Hockey India.
“Overall, this tour has helped us gain that confidence of playing against a top side like Argentina. We had the chance to experience what it takes to beat a team like Argentina and the areas we need to focus on to succeed against a quality side. This is a positive step in our preparations for the Olympic Games.”
After returning to India, the core group will have a two-week break before regrouping at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Bengaluru campus for the National Coaching Camp.
Marijne said one of the key aspects of the tour was to provide ample exposure to some of the young players. (PTI)