The JSW Soorma Hockey Club is gearing up to face the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers in a crucial match in the Hockey India League at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. Soorma, who have won both their matches in Phase 2, are currently fifth on the points table and are in contention for a semi-final spot. The team’s head coach, Jeroen Baart, is confident that his players are ready to face the Lancers, who are placed sixth on the points table, and believes that a win will set them up for a good position to make the playoffs.
Coach Baart highlighted that they won’t change their approach for this match and will make sure that the team is fit and fresh to play. He praised the team’s progress, saying that they have made significant improvements since the beginning of the tournament, with the players showing great eagerness to become better. Baart also cautioned that they will have to be mindful of the Lancers’ standout player, Thierry Brinkman, who has scored nine goals in nine matches, but believes that his team can match the Lancers’ qualities and be ready to face them.
For Soorma, a win against the Lancers would set them up in a good position to make the playoffs, and coach Baart emphasized that they need to be ready, mindful, and sharp to play the best game they can against the opposition. Despite the Lancers’ slim chance of making it to the semi-finals, this match will be crucial for both teams, and Soorma is looking to secure a playoff spot.