Belgium coach Marc Lammers is confident of doing well in the Hockey World League starting here from January 10.
The team had a disappointing junior World Cup earlier this month, where it started as title favourite before crashing out in the quarterfinals.
“The juniors did not have experience. They led 4-2 against France but lost. This squad is not like that. If we lead 4-2 in a game, we won’t let it go. We are confident,” Lammers said after a team training session on Sunday.
Lammers and captain John-John Dohnen gave further insight into the changes that have taken the team to fifth in the world.
“There is a change in the mentality and discipline. Earlier, it was about just going out and playing our best. Now, it is more about winning and we plan and play accordingly. There is more professionalism,” Dohnen, a veteran of 250 international games at the age of 25, said.
Lammers added the team had done away with all partying during tournaments. “There are no parties, no drinking, that is a big change in this team. Discipline is the only way to go up. Hockey is a very physical game. If you get stronger, you can win a lot of games and this team is much stronger than many others,” he proudly said.
The team was also working on a lot of finer details, Lammers said. “We never train too much or stupidly. I don’t want injuries to my players. The training is more scientific now,” he explained.
Belgium will start its campaign against Australia. “We played a lot against Australia last year so we are prepared for it,” he said.
