Odisha Warriors Crowned Inaugural Women's Hockey India League 2025 Champions | WATCH
Odisha Warriors win the inaugural edition of Women's Hockey India League 2025 by beating JSW Soorma Hockey Club in a gruesome final. Read below.
Odisha Warriors were crowned champions of the inaugural women's Hockey India League after eking out a hard-fought 2-1 win over JSW Soorma Hockey Club in the final here on Sunday.
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. 🌟
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 26, 2025
Send in your best wishes for our Champions 🙌👑… pic.twitter.com/XbJ0Vryg1I
Rutuja Dadaso Pisal scored a brace for the champions. She gave the Warriors the lead in the 20th minute but Penny Squibb (28th) equalised for Soorma soon after.
However, Rutuja found the back of the net again in the 56th minute to help the Warriors seal the match and lift the trophy.
It was a high intensity clash right from the start with Odisha Warriors’ Freeke Moes making the first circle entry while JSW Soorma Hockey Club continued to be exemplary in defence and rotated possession slowly to gain control of the game.
The back and forth exchanges, however, did not result in a significant shooting chance until the Warriors’ Neha found Rutuja in front of goal but Soorma goalkeeper Savita charged out to diffuse the situation and the first quarter ended goalless.
The midfield battle continued in the second quarter but the breakthrough came out of nowhere as Victoria Sauze looked to pass into the circle but it was deflected high and Rutuja was alert to loft the ball over Savita and into the goal to give the Warriors the lead.
Soorma pressed on in search of an equaliser and earned their second penalty corner with two minutes left in the quarter. Penny stepped up and dragged the ball past Warriors’ keeper Jocelyn Bartram to the right bottom corner of the goal to restore parity.
Soorma took the initiative as soon as the third quarter began with Charlotte Englebert and Olivia Shannon testing Jocelyn Bartram on multiple occasions.
They went on to earn a penalty corner within five minutes, but Jyoti’s attempt on goal was deflected away. The Warriors then attempted to regain control, making it an end to end game but neither was able to score till the end of the third quarter.
The last quarter was tense with both teams aiming to play it safe. With eight minutes left in the game, the Warriors earned their first penalty corner but Neha’s shot was deflected well over the goal.
Soon after, on a counter attack, Rutuja picked up a loose ball in the circle and thundered it between Savita’s legs to hand the Warriors the lead again.
They earned another penalty corner in the next minute but Yibbi Jansen’s flick was charged down easily. The Warriors sustained Soorma’s advances in the closing minutes and clinched the title with a 2-1 victory.
Watch Odisha Warriors celebrate their triumph here:
Odisha Warriors lifting Women's HIL 2025 🏆
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) January 26, 2025
- Watch the electric celebration from Odisha 🔥pic.twitter.com/ugOUBlnRvi
(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)
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