Odisha Warriors' Captain Neha Celebrates Historic HIL Win
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a thrilling match, Odisha Warriors made history by defeating JSW Soorma Hockey Club to clinch the inaugural Women's Hockey India League trophy. Captain Neha expressed immense joy over the team's hard work and the significance of their victory in front of enthusiastic fans at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Warriors won the first Women’s HIL trophy.
- Captain Neha praised her team's hard work.
- Rutuja Dadaso Pisal scored crucial goals.
- The match ended 2-1 in favor of the Warriors.
- Young players gained valuable experience.
Ranchi, Jan 27 (NationPress) Odisha Warriors made history by triumphing over JSW Soorma Hockey Club and securing the inaugural Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 trophy at the bustling Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
The thrilling final was tied at 1-1 as the match entered its final quarter. After an intense contest, with just five minutes remaining, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (20’, 56’) sent a powerful shot past Soorma’s Savita Punia, sealing the Warriors' victory in front of an electrified crowd.
Expressing her delight, Neha, the captain of the Odisha Warriors, remarked, “I am incredibly pleased; the girls have put in tremendous effort. We've been anticipating a women’s HIL, and it's finally here. Securing the first trophy has only amplified our happiness.”
Discussing the game plan against Soorma, Neha explained, “We recognized Soorma as a formidable team with quick players. Our approach was to apply close marking, which we executed well. While penalty corners are our forte, it was surprising that both our goals came from field play, which was quite impressive.”
The Warriors finished the league stage in second place with 13 points, trailing behind Soorma by two points. Notably, star drag-flicker Yibbi Jansen, who was among the league's top scorers, contributed significantly by converting five penalty corners.
Reflecting on the tournament, Neha stated, “The atmosphere was incredible. The fans provided tremendous support, and I appreciated that they cheered for all teams, making hockey the real champion here.”
“We gained valuable insights from this league, and numerous young players received essential exposure. While we typically play skill-centric hockey in India, international hockey is much faster. Competing with global players has taught us to adapt to their pace and embrace a different style of hockey, which will undoubtedly benefit us in future international tournaments,” Neha concluded.
