Women's HIL: Soorma Club and Odisha Warriors Ready for Historic Final
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Synopsis
Ranchi, Jan 25 (NationPress) After two weeks of intense hockey action, Odisha Warriors and Soorma Club are set to clash in the inaugural Women’s Hockey India League final at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium this Sunday. Both teams are primed for a thrilling showdown, with Soorma topping the league and Warriors boasting a strong defense.
Key Takeaways
- Soorma topped the league with 13 points.
- Odisha Warriors have a formidable defense.
- Jocelyn Bartram is a key player for shootouts.
- Yibbi Jansen leads as a top scorer.
- Both teams aim to lift the inaugural trophy.
Ranchi, Jan 25 (NationPress) Following two weeks of intense and exhilarating hockey competition, Odisha Warriors and Soorma Hockey Club are prepared to face off in a momentous showdown in the inaugural final of the Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium this Sunday.
The top-performing Soorma secured 13 points during the league phase, winning six matches, while the Warriors finished closely behind with 11 points. Soorma leads the scoring charts with 15 goals, yet the Warriors boast a formidable defense, having only allowed five goals against them this season.
In their initial face-off, Soorma triumphed with a score of 2-1, thanks to contributions from Hina Bano and Sonam. The Warriors responded strongly in their second matchup, claiming a 2-0 victory in a shootout following a tense goalless draw. Currently, Odisha Warriors are riding a four-match winning streak, boosting their confidence. Jocelyn Bartram, the Australian goalkeeper, has been exceptional, successfully converting all three penalty shootouts this season, which will be crucial if the final goes to penalties.
Yibbi Jansen, a star drag-flicker, is another key player to watch, having netted five penalty corners and sharing the title of the league’s top scorer. When discussing her role in the final, Jansen commented, “Penalty corners are our strength, so I will try my best to score tomorrow if I get the chance. That is why the team has brought me here. Playing with and against global talents has been amazing, and I hope we can conclude the tournament on a high note.”
Soorma Hockey Club is renowned for its aggressive attacking style. With an impressive total of 12 field goals, their rapid attacks from both flanks have created significant challenges for opponents. The young Belgian talent Charlotte Englebert has made her mark with five goals, while the promising Indian forward Sonam has contributed four goals to the team.
JSW Soorma Hockey head coach Jude Menezes expressed confidence in his team's preparations for the final and believes they are well-positioned to achieve victory. “We have had a solid lead-up to the finale, having topped the table for most of the league. We are as ready as we can be. We will continue our aggressive and fluid style of hockey and aim to score right from the first quarter.”
When addressing the strength of their opponents, the coach remarked, “Odisha is a robust team with skilled foreign players. One thing for sure is that it will be an extremely close and entertaining match. We are anticipating a tough challenge.”
Odisha Warriors captain Neha Goyal discussed her team’s strategy ahead of the crucial match. “We won’t complicate things and will focus on our strengths, just as we have up to this point. We will stick to our passing style of hockey and aim to earn as many penalty corners as possible.” Both JSW Soorma Hockey Club and Odisha Warriors are ready to give their all to secure the prestigious Hero Women’s Hockey India League trophy and make history by winning the inaugural season.
