Will work on skill execution, penalty corners: Roelant Oltmans

Having moved on from their quarter-final loss to Belgium at the Rio Olympics, a strenuous, month-long national camp is on the cards as India’s senior men’s hockey team assemble at the SAI South Centre, for selection trials from Friday.

“The mood is good because the players have seen that they can compete with the top sides in the world. They get compliments from hockey lovers all over the world about the way they performed. But we are not happy with the final result,” said coach Roelant Oltmans on Thursday.

India captain and custodian P.R. Sreejesh is expected to join the team for the trials ahead of the forthcoming Asian Champions Trophy and Australia Tour.

Oltmans and the selection committee are likely to make a few changes. “Until the Champions Trophy and Australia tour, it will be more or less be the same squad, maybe one or two changes,” he revealed.

Oltmans and his staff will work on tactics and strategies. “We identified the areas we need to work upon, we’ve identified a few ways on how to play in the midfield and structuring the forward line. Besides that we will work on skill execution and penalty corners,” said Oltmans, whose contract runs until January.

“I can’t tell you anything. At this moment, we have started to discuss possibilities for the future but nothing is signed.”

Oltmans, who is also high performance director, will accompany the India junior squad for the Australian Hockey League starting September 29. “I expect a number of boys to join the senior team after the HIL as well. It is good to see them play in competitions like the one in Australia. To be involved in the preparation of the U-16 World Cup itself,” he stated.

In his absence, the camp will be held under the watchful eyes of fellow Dutchman and strategic coach Roger van Gent and Tushar Khandker.