The inaugural Women’s Hockey India League reaches its climax on Sunday as table-toppers JSW Soorma Hockey Club face off against second-placed Odisha Warriors in a mouth-watering final clash at Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium. But this showpiece event is about much more than just silverware – for Odisha head coach Janneke Schopman, it represents a shot at redemption on the biggest stage.
Schopman’s Haunting Olympic Memories
Just 12 months ago at this very venue, Schopman watched helplessly as her Indian women’s team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Japan in a crucial Olympic qualifier, instantly shattering their dreams of Tokyo 2024 glory. The pain of that loss still lingers, compounded by her acrimonious exit as India coach amid allegations of gender discrimination.
That Olympic disappointment haunts me to this day. To come so close and fall at the final hurdle was gut-wrenching.
– Janneke Schopman
Now fate has handed Schopman an incredible opportunity for redemption. Standing in her way is a familiar foe – JSW Soorma head coach Jude Menezes, the architect of that painful Olympic qualifier defeat. The coaching rivals have already locked horns twice in this tournament, with one win apiece, making the final a tantalizing winner-takes-all decider.
Soorma’s Fluid Attack vs Warriors’ Penalty Corner Threat
While revenge may be on Schopman’s mind, her Odisha Warriors have been imperious throughout the tournament, conceding a miserly 5 goals in 6 matches. Their defensive resilience, marshaled by the evergreen Deep Grace Ekka and impenetrable keeper Jocelyn Bartram, has laid the platform for the attacking brilliance of dragflick sensation Yibbi Jansen.
Jansen, the costliest foreign purchase at Rs 29 lakh, has delivered on that price tag by topping the goal-scoring charts with 5 penalty corner strikes. Her set-piece prowess could be the trump card against a Soorma outfit that has struggled with penalty corner conversions, finding the net just once from 26 attempts.
Yet Soorma’s fluid attacking style has blown away the rest of the competition. Led by the irrepressible Salima Tete with ample support from overseas stars like Charlotte Englebert, they have plundered a tournament-high 15 goals while playing an eye-catching brand of attacking hockey.
Key Battles to Watch
- Yibbi Jansen (Odisha) vs Savita Punia (Soorma) – The tournament’s leading scorer comes up against the peerless Indian keeper in a clash of the titans. Expect fireworks from this duel between unstoppable force and immovable object.
- Salima Tete (Soorma) vs Neha Goyal (Odisha) – Two midfield dynamos and inspirational captains go head-to-head. Tete’s explosive pace and skill will challenge Goyal’s tireless industry and tactical nous in the engine room battle.
As hockey fans prepare for a final befitting this groundbreaking tournament, Schopman stands on the cusp of a defining moment. Triumph here would banish the ghosts of Olympics past and confirm her status as one of the sport’s shrewdest minds. But Menezes and Soorma are determined to prolong her anguish and etch their own names into the history books. Only one thing is certain – the sparks will fly when these heavyweight outfits collide in Ranchi.
