Taking to Twitter after the match, Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne apologized to his family while taking a selfie with his team. He posted, "Sorry family, I coming again later."
Sjoerd Marijne, chief coach of India's women's hockey team, is beaming end to end. His team scripted history at the Tokyo Olympics when they defeated hot favourites Australia 1-0 in the Tokyo 2020 quarter-finals.
The Indian hockey team has reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games for the first time. Earlier, Indian women had finished at number four at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. But in those Olympic Games, the hockey event was played on a round-robin basis and not by knockout.
Taking to Twitter after the match, Sjoerd Marijne apologized to his family while taking a selfie with his team. He posted, "Sorry family, I coming again later."
He has sought this apology for making his family wait longer to meet him. He will now return home to the Netherlands to meet his family only after the Indian team wins the medal.
Earlier, visuals of an emotional Marijne breaking down while talking to his close ones over a video call went viral on social media.
Speaking after the match, the Dutch coach said that his key advice to the girls was that they had nothing to lose and, therefore, they should play free. That is exactly what his team did.
It was like a dream come true, he said, adding that this is the 'Chak De India' in reality.
Calling the win over Australia a moment to cherish for the entire team, Marijne said, "Enjoy the instant. Do not glance forward always. Enjoy the adventure and notice what you have gotten simply performed."
India will next take on Argentina in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics on 4 August. Argentina entered the semi-finals by defeating the Rio Olympic Games bronze medalist Germany 3-0 in the first quarter-final match.
Sjoerd Marijne, meanwhile, is being hailed over social media. Some have even sought that the chief coach be honoured with an award.
Wanna see a Hero ?
Here he is...
Coach of Indian women's hockey team Sjoerd Marijne 🙌🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Ah3gFAG8tG
Let’s not forget the man behind our super girls- Sjoerd Marijne, COACH, Indian Women Hockey Team!!! He has worked really hard and has created history today!!! pic.twitter.com/A5mWe5YYgk
— Sayema (@_sayema)
Taking a team which didn't win a single game in Rio 2016 to beating Australia to reach Semis in Tokyo 2020, take a bow Sjoerd Marijne. Applaud this man, award this man. The Real life Kabir Khan. Flag of India pic.twitter.com/PEPYpTEnnY
— mayank gandhi (@mayankg22207721)
: Not many will talk about him but meet Sjoerd Marijne, India Women's hockey coach who has completely transformed Women's hockey in India and made them absolute fighters.
He is a hero too for me, Thank you sir. pic.twitter.com/KPF4cbo73F
Please, please nominate Sjoerd Marijne for the Dronacharya Award - what he has done with this team is unbelievable 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/wV4KzeOcoV
— Aniket Mishra (@aniketmishra299)