Soorma Eves’ Collective Might of Foreign Firepower & Precocious Indian Talents Make Them a Strong Title Contender

Soorma Hockey Club have really shown that they have the ‘ammunition’ to go the distance in the inaugural Hockey India League – the ‘collective flair’ of the Punjab franchise is hard to overlook – barring their 0-2 loss to Delhi SG Pipers – a rare off day on the pitch – the Soorma eves have exemplified performances that make them a strong title contender. They could have logged full points against Odisha Warriors in their 2nd leg tie by closing it in regulation time but did not quite profit from the chances that came their way and did not have the last laugh in the shootout.

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The JSW-backed hockey franchise have an assured look about their deep defence with ace Indian goalkeeper & former captain Savita Punia, Australian drag-flicker Penny Squib, experienced Nikki Pradhan and young & talented Jyoti Rumawat doing a neat job.

The Soorma midfield is probably the most robust with three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic gold medallist Maria Verschoor having an intimidating presence with solid support from Great Britain & England’s Sophie Hamilton and Indian captain Salima Tete. Youngsters Ajmina Kujur and Hina Bano have also made their presence felt amidst the presence of foreign firepower.

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The Soorma forwardline has been spelling trouble for the opposition with the ‘2’ Charlottes’ – Germany’s Stapenhorst and Belgium’s Englebert ably complemented by New Zealand’s Olivia Shannon not giving the opposition much breathing space. However, the biggest surprise packet has been young Indian forward Sonam, who has excelled in every game and is now the joint top goal-scorer alongside Yibbi Jansen with four goals apiece.

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Soorma eves chief coach Jude Menezes puts things in perspective. “I thought we have played some good, attacking brand of hockey save for our first leg tie against Delhi SG Pipers where we were a bit flat. It’s one of those days where things just didn’t go your way,” says Soorma Hockey Club chief coach Jude Menezes in an exclusive interview with Hockey Passion.

The former Indian goalkeeper, who had featured in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups as well as the 2000 Sydney Olympics and subsequently served in coaching roles in New Zealand and Japan, believes the team would look to emerge better in the business end of the tournament. “We are professional hockey players and are expected to perform. In a tournament like teams are bound to have an off day on the pitch. We are getting better and better,” quips the 53-year-old Mumbai-born coach.

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The inaugural Hockey India League is a huge window of an opportunity for the Indian players to grow their game playing alongside the big names of world hockey. Menezes believes Indian players have a lot going for them. “It’s a great opportunity for all Indian players to play alongside the likes of Yibbi Jansen, Maria Verschoor who are not just not Olympians, but Olympic gold medalists. Sharing the dressing room with these legends, just watching their work ethic, watching how they prepare and the things that they do in training, it will be a huge learning for the Indian girls. These foreign players bring a lot of knowledge to the group, which is invaluable towards the growth of just hockey players in general,” observes Menezes.

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Soorma Hockey Club are bandied about as one of the favourites to win the inaugural HIL crown but Menezes is not getting excited as yet. “We are not trying to think far too ahead – our first step is to make it to the final. We have manage to recovery well (all the travelling happening) and be in the best frame of mind at the business end of the league,” he says.

Like every other team, star-studded Soorma Hockey Club would strive to raise their improvement bar in their pursuit of crowning themselves in HIL glory.