The last time Jude Menezes and Janneke Schopmann faced off in Ranchi, exactly a year ago, it ended in a win for the Japan coach; an outcome that cost India a place at the Paris Olympics.
Although Wednesday’s contest between the two tacticians wasn’t of that big a consequence, the former India international once again outwitted the Dutch Olympic gold medallist in the Women’s Hockey India League.
And in doing so, Menezes’ Soorma Hockey Club ensured they’ll have a target on their back for the rest of the tournament. With India stalwart Savita Punia in goal, Soorma enhanced their reputation with a well-worked 2-1 win over Odisha Warriors, the side managed by former India coach Schopmann having a very strong squad on paper.
Young attacker Hina Bano (6th minute) opened the account for Soorma Hockey Club and Sonam (47’) doubled their lead in the last quarter. Freeke Moes (57’) brought the Warriors back in contention by pulling one back with three minutes left to play. But Soorma held on for a crucial win.
Odisha ended strongly, just like they started – within minutes of the push-back, Baljeet Kaur weaved her way into the opposition circle and forced Soorma goalkeeper Savita into action. But it was Soorma who were more potent.
Playing on the left wing, Ajmina Kujur launched a counterattack and played the ball into the ‘D’. It found Hina, who deflected the ball past Jocelyn Bartram to score the first goal of the game.
Stunned by the early blow, Odisha responded when Sakshi Rana earned a penalty corner minutes later but Ishika Chaudhary was unable to guide the ball towards goal. They continued to press forward in search of the equaliser and Moes had an opportunity close to the end of the quarter, but her shot sailed off target.
The second quarter, too, was an end-to-end affair with both teams trying to assert themselves on the field. Soorma created the majority of the opportunities as the quarter progressed but were missing the finishing touch. It was the same with Warriors as well – with six minutes left in the quarter, Moes earned a penalty corner but Claire Colwill failed to bypass Savita and her defenders. Moes continued to threaten down the right wing and pressurise Soorma’s defence but failed to create a scoring chance.
Moes was easily the standout player for the Warriors – perhaps also the most impactful outfield player overall – as she weaved past multiple players and earned another penalty corner with three minutes left in the third quarter but Yibbi Jansen’s flick on goal was swatted away by Savita and Soorma maintained their one-goal lead heading into the last quarter.
As Odisha pushed forward in search of an equaliser, they opened themselves to the threat of counterattack and Soorma capitalised. Charlotte Englebert crossed to Sonam from the right wing, who dinked the ball into goal and doubled Soorma’s lead early in the fourth quarter.
Enjoying a two-goal cushion, Soorma defended resolutely to thwart Odisha’s attempts to claw back into the match. But the in-form Moes ensured a thrilling end to the tie by pinching the ball high on the pitch and unleashing a reverse hit to beat Savita in goal and bring the Warriors back into the game.
The goal set up a grandstand finish but Soorma held on to their slender lead to seal their second win and move to the top of the four-team table.
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