HIL 2024-25: Soorma Hockey Club Set for Ongoing Trials
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Rourkela, Jan 4 (NationPress) Soorma Hockey Club is positioned sixth on the points chart after playing two matches in the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. So far, Soorma has secured two points thanks to their 1 - 1 (4-1 SO) penalty shootout triumph over Tamil Nadu Dragons in the opening match.
“The primary takeaway from the first week of the tournament is that it’s shaping up to be a fast-paced season where we must remain aware of the small moments that can lead to significant outcomes. We’ve performed well in the two games; we’ve generated chances, but there have been several instances where we forced plays a bit too much, allowing the opposition to score,” stated Soorma Hockey Club Men's Head Coach Jeroen Baart.
In Soorma’s latest encounter against the UP Rudras, they conceded a goal merely two minutes into the match but managed to regain control. Unfortunately, Victor Wegnez sustained an injury and had to withdraw, while UP Rudras’ Lars Balk excelled in shutting down numerous penalty corners, leading to a 3-0 defeat for Soorma.
“The last match is a perfect illustration of how challenging these games can be. We didn’t start off very well; they took the lead, but we improved significantly afterward. However, in the end, we failed to capitalize on our opportunities and score. The players adhered to the game plan and circulated the ball effectively, yet when pushing forward, they were somewhat isolated. It’s crucial for us to have enough players around the circles to create threats,” Jeroen reflected.
Soorma generated eight penalty corners and made 21 entries into the circle in the last match, while the UP Rudras managed only three PCs and 16 circle entries.
“Lars Balk performed exceptionally as the first rusher for the Rudras, executing a solid line that made it quite difficult for us to penetrate. I fully expect everyone to be performing at their best from the top of the circle in the upcoming matches,” the coach elaborated.
On Sunday, Soorma Hockey Club will face Vedanta Kalinga Lancers, who are currently at the bottom of the table with only one point from two matches. Nevertheless, they possess a strong lineup featuring Alexander Hendrickx, Aran Zalewski, Arthur van Doren, Thierry Brinkman, and Antoine Kina, along with regular Indian team members like Krishan Pathak, Dilpreet Singh, and Sanjay.
Additionally, on Monday (Jan 6), they will compete against Delhi SG Pipers, who currently hold the third spot on the table with three points from two games. Tomas Domene has already scored two goals for the Pipers in these matches and will be a significant player to watch, alongside Gareth Furlong and young forward Dilraj Singh.
“We need to ensure that we remain calm and adhere to the game plan. It’s important to take the field and create ample opportunities by keeping the ball in play. A bit of connection and teamwork will certainly make a difference. We have two consecutive matches approaching, but we must tackle them with the right attitude.
“We have assembled a large squad and are accustomed to playing back-to-back in hockey, so that won’t pose an issue. With a long tournament ahead, we aim to keep our players fresh and fit not only for the next two matches but for the remainder of the season,” concluded Jeroen.
