Soorma Hockey Club’s Women’s Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 campaign will be remembered less for its final standing and more for the stark contrast it offered in how elite teams function under different leadership and psychological environments.
Finishing fourth in a four-team league, the JSW-owned franchise endured a torrid start before staging a late resurgence that, while coming too late to alter their fate, provided valuable lessons for the future. The revival of the Women’s HIL itself marked an important milestone for Indian hockey, with the standalone women’s competition finally integrated into the league’s structure. Among the contenders, Soorma entered the season with strong credentials, having finished runner-up in the previous edition. Built around a core of Indian internationals and high-quality overseas players, the squad looked balanced on paper and well-equipped to challenge for the title.
Under head coach Jude Menezes, Soorma adopted a possession-heavy, high-volume attacking philosophy. The tactical blueprint emphasized circle penetrations, aggressive pressing, and winning penalty corners, supported by specialists such as Penny Squibb and attacking leaders like Maria Jose Granatto. Yet, as the season unfolded in Ranchi, a troubling pattern emerged: Soorma were able to dominate territory without converting that dominance into goals.
The opening four matches proved disastrous. Narrow defeats against the Shrachi Bengal Tigers and SG Pipers exposed a lack of cutting edge in the final third. Even when Soorma controlled midfield exchanges through captain Salima Tete and enjoyed repeated circle entries, clear chances were squandered. The situation worsened against Ranchi Royals, where counter-attacks punished defensive lapses in a 2–0 loss. By the time the team finally scored its first goal of the season, a Penny Squibb drag-flick in their fourth match, it was already too late. Defensive fragility and attacking anxiety culminated in a 3–1 defeat, eliminating Soorma from finals contention without a single point on the board.
Statistically, the Menezes phase was defined by paradox. Over 100 circle entries across four matches yielded just one goal, none from open play. The numbers pointed not to a lack of tactical preparation but to a deeper psychological blockage. Attacks were structured but predictable. Forwards hesitated, played the extra pass, or failed to react instinctively in crowded circles, an issue magnified in a short-format league where momentum is everything.
The mid-season departure of Menezes on January 4 was a decisive institutional call. In his place, Soorma turned to Rani Rampal, Indian hockey’s most recognizable modern icon, appointing her interim head coach. The shift was less about tactical overhaul and more about emotional reset.
Rampal’s immediate impact was evident. Her approach prioritized freedom, belief, and fearlessness, particularly for younger players. Rather than overloading the squad with structure, she simplified roles and encouraged early shots, rebounds, and instinctive movement. The result was a visible release of pressure.
In her first match in charge, Soorma beat Ranchi Royals 2–1, earning their first points of the season. An early penalty-corner goal restored belief, while a disciplined low-block defense in the final quarter showcased newfound composure. The season finale against Shrachi Bengal Tigers further underlined the transformation. Sonam’s early field goal, followed by strikes from Squibb and Granatto, helped Soorma secure a 3–2 win against a finalist side, closing the campaign with back-to-back victories.
The contrast between the two phases was striking. Under Rampal, Soorma scored five goals in two matches, an average of 2.5 per game, compared to just one goal in four matches previously. Defensive organization also improved, with clearer roles and collective responsibility. While the late surge could not rescue their league position, it restored credibility and confidence within the group.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Leadership dynamics played a crucial role throughout this turbulent season. Salima Tete’s influence grew once she was freed from deeper build-up duties, allowing her pace and aggression to disrupt opposition structures. Goalkeeper Savita Punia, another pillar of the team, benefited from Rampal’s player-centric management, which focused on mental freshness rather than technical intervention. Most notably, young forward Sonam flourished once encouraged to trust her instincts, underlining the importance of mentorship in accelerating youth development.
Soorma’s campaign ultimately became a case study in balance. The season demonstrated that while modern, data-driven systems are essential, they must be complemented by psychological alignment and cultural understanding, especially in Indian conditions. The appointment of Belgian coach Philippe Goldberg for the next season signals a return to international technical leadership, but the lessons of 2025–26 are clear. Structure without confidence is hollow; confidence without structure is fleeting.
For Soorma Hockey Club, the challenge ahead lies in blending the discipline of European systems with the fearlessness rediscovered under Rampal. If that synthesis is achieved, the painful experiences of this season may yet serve as the foundation for a more complete and resilient contender in the years to come.
