New Delhi: Odisha Warriors edged Soorma Hockey Club 2-1 in the final to lift the inaugural title of the Women’s Hockey India League at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. The Odisha Warriors was coached by former Indian women’s team head coach Janneke Schopman, who ultimately defeated Jude Menezes, the coach of the Soorma club.
Menezes was also the coach of Japan women’s team which defeated India in the bronze medal playoffs of the Olympic qualifiers Ranchi a year ago. Things went south for the Dutch coach, who is an Olympic gold medallist with the Netherlands women as a player.
The final, which marked the completion of the first ever women’s hockey franchise competition, saw the arrival of Rutuja Pissal, who shouldered the responsibility of finding the back of the net in the presence of the burgeoning drag-flicker Yibbi Jansen, the Dutch star who guided the Netherlands women side to the top of the podium at the Paris Olympics.
A roaring round of applause for the Odisha Warriors for clinching the inaugural Hero Hockey India League title🥇🔥 Your grit, determination, and exceptional teamwork have etched your name in the history of Indian Hockey. 🌟
Send in your best wishes for our Champions 🙌👑… pic.twitter.com/XbJ0Vryg1I
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 26, 2025
Rutuja Pissal’s Heroics Secure Odisha Warriors Victory
Rutuja’s efforts and occupancy at the goalpost was decisive for Odisha Warriors to lift the first title. She scored the opening goal for the Odisha outfit in the second quarter. She was feed with a long ball coming from Argentina’s Victoria Sauze. The Maharashtra player was prudent in her judgement before striking the ball over Soorma goalkeeper Savita Punia.
In the look for an equaliser, Soorma pressed and Penny Squibb dragged the ball past Jocelyn Bartram to the right of the bottom corner to get the equaliser.
With eight minutes left on the clock, Rutuja pounced on the loose ball as the counter-attack flowed from the Warriors. The forward found the ball in the gap between the legs of Savita to regain Odisha’s lead, and turned out to be the title-winning goal. Warriors were awarded another penalty corner in the next minute but Yibbi Jansen’s flick was charged down easily by the Soorma defense.
The Odisha Warriors secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Soorma Hockey Club in the final of the inaugural Women’s Hockey India League. Rutuja Pissal’s two goals proved decisive against Soorma’s Penny Squibb. The win marked a significant milestone for women’s hockey in India, showcasing the success of the new franchise format. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
