New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) After finishing atop the points chart in the inaugural season and narrowly falling short in the final, Soorma Hockey Club is set to embark on its second season of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) with a fierce determination to go further and mount a serious title challenge.

A key asset of Soorma Hockey Club is its exceptional goalkeeping unit. The team features the legendary goalkeeper and co-captain Savita, who has recently achieved the milestone of 300 international caps for India, emphasizing her enduring presence and influence at the highest level. She was honored as the 'Goalkeeper of the Tournament' last season and will continue to lead the team from the goalpost.

Supporting Savita is Nidhi, the primary goalkeeper for the Indian Junior Women’s Team, who showcased her talent at the recent FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in Chile. Having both first-choice goalkeepers from the Indian senior and junior women’s teams provides Soorma Hockey Club with a substantial edge in goalkeeping.

In defense, the team will again count on seasoned Australian Penny Squibb and India's promising player Jyoti, who returns after an impressive previous season where she was named 'Player of the Tournament'. This season, they will be joined by Japan's Shihori Oikawa, a veteran international with 193 caps and 56 goals for her country, along with Jyoti Chhatri for added defensive support.

The midfield will be led by India’s captain Salima Tete, who continues as co-captain this season. Renowned for her relentless effort, leadership, and game control, Salima will be pivotal in connecting the defense and offense.

She will be aided by her national teammates Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Baljeet Kaur, alongside Ajmina Kujur, Binima Dhan, Hina Bano, and Nisha from the junior team. With over 200 international caps for Scotland and Great Britain combined, Sarah Robertson, along with Vilar Del Valle Dupuy from Uruguay and Jimena Maria Cedres from Argentina, injects additional international experience and talent into the squad.

In attack, Soorma Hockey Club will showcase the prolific Maria Jose Granatto from Argentina, who has netted 145 goals in her senior career and is an exciting player to watch in their attacking formation. They will also rely on the offensive skills of Olivia Shannon, a 24-year-old from New Zealand, and India’s young attacking duo, Sonam and Mumtaz Khan. Sonam had a breakout season in the last edition, finishing as the highest Indian goalscorer and earning the ‘Upcoming Player of the Tournament’ award, and she aims to build on her previous success.

Head Coach Jude Menezes will again guide Soorma Hockey Club, whose tactical prowess and calm leadership contributed significantly to the team's stability last season. He aims to leverage last season’s strengths and ensure his squad completes the task this time.

Strength:

Soorma Hockey Club’s main strength lies in its collection of experienced Indian and international players in all positions. With veterans like Savita in goal, Penny Squibb and Shihori Oikawa in defense, Salima Tete managing midfield, and Maria Jose Granatto leading the attack, the team appears very strong on paper.

Weakness:

The club will need to address the departure of key international players from last season, such as Charlotte Englebert, Sophie Louise Hamilton, and Maria Verschoor. Englebert, who ended up as the league’s joint top scorer with five goals, leaves a considerable scoring gap. It will be crucial for their forwards to start scoring promptly in the tournament to gain the upper hand against opponents.

Soorma Hockey Club will kick off their Women’s Hero HIL 2025-26 season against Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers on December 29, 2025, in Ranchi.