Two medals in elite FIH world events within a span of eight months is no mean feat and Roelant Oltmans’ wards would march into the Rio Olympics with their heads held high and the opposition aware that they are no pushovers.
On Saturday night, India punched above their weight for their best-ever finish in the Champions Trophy, an event that was considered their bane in last three decades. India were pipped by world champions Australia in the final, but only just. After 60 minutes of an evenly-contested match with the scoreline reading 0-0, it took a penalty shootout (1-3) to separate the two.
Oltmans has never been the one to predict the outcome, but understands that this medal has sent the expectations soaring high, 45 days ahead of Rio Games.
“In the end, it is all about Rio,” Oltmans said from Valencia, where the team will now compete in a six-nation tournament. “This medal has given the boys a lot of confidence. To play a final like this against Australia means we are executing our plans well and following the process. We understand that Rio will be entirely different, but to go there on the back of such a performance is commendable.”
The feat came months after India had clinched a bronze defeating World Cup silver medallists Holland, in the World League Final at home.
A few could argue over the quality of the field at the Champions Trophy given that most teams were experimenting ahead of Rio, but for once such was the case with India too.
Outclassed a day before by the same opponents, India returned hungrier and sharper in the final. What brought about the change, one is tempted to ask.
Said Oltmans, “I would put it down to execution and self belief. In the league match, I think the players were giving too much respect to the opposition.
“In the final, they responded to everything... the tactics, the style of play.”
Goalkeeper and skipper P.R. Sreejesh, who led by example and was one of the key reasons India reached their maiden final, said it was time to get realistic.
In a special meeting with his team mates after the silver medal finish, Sreejesh told them “to take this performance as a stepping stone for Rio”.
“Today has happened and now we have to make tomorrow better. This silver has taught us that we can match big teams if we stick to our plan. The biggest plus is that no team will take us lightly from now on,” said Sreejesh.
“We gave two extremely different performances against Australia within a gap of 24 hours. In Rio, we will not get another opportunity. Every mistake will be counted there, every error will be taken advantage of. And that is what I told the boys after our final match.”
