India got the better of arch-rivals Pakistan in the bronze medal match at the Asian Games after suffering a setback against Malaysia in the semi-final but Pakistan coach Roelant Oltmans feels India was by far the best side in the Asian Games and should be disappointed to end their campaign with a bronze medal.
India are the best side in Asia
“They are by far the best team in Asia. It was surprising that they lost to Malaysia (in the semi-final). They should be disappointed,” Oltmans told PTI as reported by Times of India.
Oltmans was sacked as India coach last year, he later joined Pakistan as their national coach yet again in March.
Asian teams have a habit of conceding late goals
Talking about India’s loss to Malaysia in the semi-final, Oltmans said “They should not have lost to Malaysia but the problem of conceding late goals is common with all Asian teams.
“It is disappointing to lose to India today. I think we were better in the third and fourth quarter. But is still early days (for the development of the team). We are trying to build a proper structure and put Pakistan hockey back on track,” said the Dutchman.
India’s and Pakistan’s hockey culture is not the same- Oltmans
“The two countries are completely different. The biggest difference is the religion. It is not a negative neither a positive. It is what it is,” he said.
