Soorma Hockey Club will face UP Rudras in their second Hero Hockey India League match at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. Soorma heads into the game with a bonus point earned in a shootout after a 1-1 draw against Tamil Nadu Dragons in their opener. On the other hand, UP Rudras started strong with a 3-1 win over Kalinga Lancers, securing three points.
In their first match, Soorma dominated key stats like possession, shots, and circle entries. Reflecting on the performance, Head Coach Jeroen Baart said, “The first half was like a chess game, but things picked up in the third quarter. The opening goal changed the dynamics, and we created more chances after that.”
Baart admitted they could have won outright but appreciated the bonus point. “When you’re down 1-0 with seven minutes left, a draw and bonus point are acceptable,” he remarked.
Looking ahead to the Rudras clash, Baart highlighted the tight competition in the league. “Every game is a close battle, as we’ve seen so far. It’s exciting and keeps things unpredictable, making each match a tactical challenge,” he stated.
Belgian midfielder Victor Wegnez emphasized the importance of defense and penalty corners in their strategy against the Rudras. “Our focus will be on solid defending and earning penalty corners. With players like Harmanpreet, Jeremy Hayward, and Nicolas Della Torre, we have a strong team for those opportunities,” said the 29-year-old.
The match is scheduled for 2nd January 2025 at 8:15 PM IST.
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