China are improving, but India clear favourites to win Asia Cup: Roelant Oltmans

4 months ago

Former India coach and current China assistant coach Roelant Oltmans feels that India are the clear favourites to win the Asia Cup in Rajgir. Oltmans feels that the rise of the Chinese men's team was inevitable and they're building towards LA Olympics.

Transcript

00:00Mr. Rowland, a great performance by China today. You have made it to the Super Force.

00:05Not a lot of people thought that China would be making it to the Super Force,

00:10given a very strong group that you have been in.

00:13How was the performance today and the overall performance so far?

00:16In the end, it was a tension game, of course, because the first half were two-one leading.

00:22It was quite okay, but you know that once they score 2-1 and you go into the second half,

00:27that they have to come, so we should keep our defending structure properly.

00:31I think the boys did that very well, so therefore a big compliment to the team.

00:35And I think at the end, we had a huge chance to score 3-2 and make it easier for the coaches.

00:41But I'm really pleased that China is in this Superpool.

00:45That's what we were waiting for, because the experience of that type of games now

00:49with Korea, Malaysia and India, that is what helped you growing as a country,

00:54and that's what these boys need.

00:55So, what do you feel has been the biggest change in Chinese hockey,

01:00especially with the men's team, over the last couple of years?

01:03Because you challenged India all the way in the Asian Champions Trophy, and this time as well.

01:09Well, it's difficult to say, because I'm just really for a very short stint now with China,

01:13so I can't speak about what they have done in the last couple of years.

01:17But what we all have seen, that the Chinese women have done very, very well

01:20at the last Olympics in Paris, and that's what the Chinese men are aiming for as well.

01:24So, the idea is, maybe Los Angeles, but for sure in 1932, China must be a force in international men's hockey.

01:33My last question, Michelle said, before the tournament started, that, you know, China,

01:38we are not looking for a big glory or anything.

01:41We are here, and we are slowly building up.

01:44But after these performances, do you think that China can go for the title?

01:47Well, I always said before the tournament, and I still say the same, there's only one favourite.

01:54That's not China.

01:55You all know who it is.

01:57That's India.

01:58That's clearly.

01:58They are the favourites.

02:00If you look at the world rankings, if you look at their performance,

02:03the last two Olympics, they are before the team to beat by the others.

02:07So, India is still the number one here, and up to them to show that they're right.

02:12If they leave chances to others, maybe there are opportunities,

02:15but for me, India will win this tournament still.

02:18Thank you, Coach.

02:19Thanks a lot.

China are improving, but India clear favourites to win Asia Cup: Roelant Oltmans

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