Soorma Hockey Club, who have been struggling to find their rhythm in the ongoing season of the Hockey India League, have parted ways with Head Coach Jude Menezes midway through the tournament. Rani Rampal, who donned the role of a mentor with the HIL franchise, will now coach SHC for the remainder of the tournament, according to an announcement on social media.
Soorma HC, who finished runners-up to the now-defunct Odisha Warriors in the inaugural season of the Hockey India League, have failed to win any of their matches thus far.
A narrow 0-1 loss against the Shrachi Bengal Tigers was followed by a defeat at the hands of the SG Pipers by an identical scoreline.
“Soorma Hockey Club and Head Coach, Women’s Team, Jude Menezes have mutually decided to part ways with immediate effect, following the team’s start to the ongoing Hockey India League in Ranchi. The decision has been taken in the best interests of the team. The club wishes to place on record its sincere gratitude to Jude for his contribution and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours. Team Mentor Rani Rampal will take over as interim coach of the women’s team for the remainder of the tournament with the support of the existing staff,” read the social media announcement.
Soorma were then beaten a lot more comprehensively by an upbeat Ranchi Royals side 2-0. even as the team failed to convert a penalty stroke that came their way in the match.
In what was a must-win encounter for Soorma HC, Jude Menezes’ team took the lead via a Penny Squibb penalty corner but failed to keep the momentum going in their second match against the SG Pipers.
The Pipers cancelled out Soorma’s lead in the space of a minute before scoring a couple more to coast to a 3-1 win.
Soorma HC have managed to score only one goal thus far in the four matches that they have played, conceding seven.
Soorma HC are captained by Salima Tete and veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia. The franchise has in its ranks the likes of Argentina’s Maria-Jose Granatto, who has been impressive in patches but has been unable to score. Penny Squibb, who impressed last season, has failed to replicate her goalscoring abilities this time around.
Baljeet Kaur and Olivia Shannon have been the livewires for Soorma HC in the second season.
SG Pipers lead the Hockey India League points table
The SG Pipers lead the Hockey India League points table with 10 points from four games. The Pipers won three of their matches outright but lost to the Bengal Tigers in a shootout.
Ranchi Royals are second on the league table with six points from three matches, while the Shrachi Bengal Tigers currently occupy third place with five points from three matches.
Soorma HC sit bottom of the points table, having lost all their matches
The final of the second season of the Hockey India League will be played on January 10 in Ranchi, following a double round-robin league phase
Edited by Subhashish Majumdar
