Odisha Warriors captain Neha Goyal adamant Women's HIL will help Indian national team in international tournaments

Odisha Warriors beat Soorma Hockey Club to be crowned the first-ever champions of Women’s Hockey India League.

Odisha Warriors created history by defeating Soorma Hockey Club and lifting the first ever Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 trophy in front of a packed Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Hockey Stadium on January 26. 

It was all square as the final went into the last quarter with the scoreline 1-1. After three quarters of end-to-end action, with just five minutes left on the clock, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (20’, 56’) fired a shot past Soorma’s Savita Punia and ensured Warriors victory on the big night.

Also Read: Odisha Warriors emerge champions of inaugural Women’s Hockey India League edition, beat Soorma Hockey Club to life title

Captain of Odisha Warriors Neha was elated with the win and her teammates and stated, “I am extremely happy, the girls have worked extremely hard. We had been waiting for a women’s HIL and now it has finally happened. Winning the first trophy has just added to our joy.”

Talking about the team’s strategy in the final, Neha shared, “We knew that Soorma is a strong team with speedy players. Our strategy was to maintain a close marking and that is what we did. Penalty corners was our strength so our plan was to attack as a team and win as many PCs as we can but surprisingly both our goals were field goals so that was very impressive.”

The Warriors ended the league stage second with 13 points, two points behind table toppers Soorma. Star drag-flicker Yibbi Jansen and the league’s joint top-scorer converted five penalty corners for her side and was the standout player for the Warriors.

Reflecting on the whole tournament, Neha said, “The atmosphere here was amazing. The fans gave us a lot of support and what I loved was the supporters were cheering for all teams, which makes hockey the real winner here.”

“We have learned a lot from this league, a lot of young players have gained much-needed exposure. In India we play skill-based hockey but across the globe hockey is very fast. With this tournament, playing with and against foreign players, we have learned how to match their pace and play a different brand of hockey. This will surely help us in the international tournaments coming ahead,” Neha concluded.

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