New women's hockey coach Mathias Ahrens optimistic of reaching Rio Olympics

Mathias Ahrens with the Indian womens’ hockey team

New Delhi, May 18: Newly-appointed Indian women's hockey team coach Mathias Ahrens on Monday said his wards can qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

With the 10-nation Hockey World League (HWL) Semi-Final, an Olympic qualifying tournament, scheduled to start from June 20, Ahrens said he is impressed by the keenness of the girls to improve. The teams that will grab the top three spots in the tournament to be held in Belgium, will qualify for the quadrennial extravaganza.

"The team is up for the challenge and we can always qualify. We will go to the tournament next month with all intent to qualify," he said in a release.

Team play good attacking hockey: Ahrens

The coach said, "The team is quite young and we have some experienced players. The tournament comes at the right time for the girls as they are keen to deliver. What impresses me about this team is their keenness to learn and apply."

The chief coach said that the team needs to put a better structure in place while playing the counter-attacking game.

"The team as a unit play amazing hockey. It is really fantastic to see how we connect on the field and the girls have the ability to penetrate the defence of the opponents," he said.

"While we attack to our strength but sometimes in the counter-attack we have to organise ourselves a bit better which will help us score."