The SG Pipers registered their second straight win of the Hockey India League, following a well-deserved 1-0 victory against Soorma Hockey Club at Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Stadium on Wednesday (December 31). Navneet Kaur mesmerised the galleries with a spectacular solo effort early in the game before very nearly assisting Preeti Dubey to score a second.
Soorma HC failed to make the most of their chances despite enjoying a fair bit of the possession, with Baljeet Kaur and Olivia Shannon creating numerous opportunities to no avail.
Last season’s runners-up, Soorma HC, who lost their opening encounter against the Bengal Tigers 0-1 thus remain winless thus far in the Hockey India League
Maria Jose-Granatto sent in an ambitious lofted long ball into the Pipers’ circle in the opening minute, with none of her teammates available to take a shot on goal.
An error from Shihori Oikawa produced a costly midfield turnover with Navneet Kaur latching onto the ball in a jiffy in the fourth minute. Navneet sprinted halfway across the pitch before unleashing a thundering shot from the edge of the striking circle that gave Savita Punia no chance whatsoever.
The SG Pipers continued to dominate proceedings in the opening quarter, even as the Soorma deep defence was kept busy.
Baljeet Kaur, who was the standout player for Soorma HC, combined well with Penny Squibb to manufacture a move in the 14th minute but failed to make it count.
Soorma HC earned themselves a penalty corner early in the second corner but the ensuing drag flick was well run down. At the other end, an unmarked Sunelita Toppo had a chance to take a snapshot on goal but failed to strike the target in the 27th minute.
Navneet Kaur then set Preeti Dubey up with yet another purposeful run, followed by an assist across the face of the goal. An onrushing Preeti Dubey failed to connect at the goalmouth despite a desperate dive after Savita Punia managed to deflect the ball a wee bit off target.
Soorma HC made a mess of a penalty corner that came their way in the 29th minute after a bouncing ball failed to be stopped cleanly.
Olivia Shannon and Sarah Robertson began the third quarter in lively fashion. Jyoti sent in a probing long ball for Shannon, who was positioned at the gloalmouth but the Black Sticks player was unable to deflect the ball goalwards.
Maria Jose-Granatto, who had a series of animated chats with the on-field umpire, failed to be rewarded for her hard work owing to a lack of cohesion with her teammates in the striking circle.
A stick tackle from Deepika, who has yet to come into her own in the Hockey India League this season, gifted Soorma HC a penalty corner in the 50th minute, which Jude Menezes’ team failed to convert.
Savita Punia left her mark to deny Navneet Kaur with a diving save immediately after.
A penalty corner in the 57th minute also did not yield dividends for Soorma HC, who remain at the bottom of the Hockey India League points table with no wins to show for their efforts.
Hockey India League: Updated Points Table Women’s League Phase (Wednesday, December 31)
Hockey India League 2024-25: Women’s League Fixtures (Thursday, January 1)
SG Pipers vs Sharchi Bengal Tigers, 7:30 pm IST (Jaipal Singh Stadium, Ranchi)
Edited by Subhashish Majumdar
