The SG Pipers launched their Women's Hockey India League (WHIL) season in impressive fashion, securing a convincing 2-0 victory against the debutant Ranchi Royals on Sunday. The match, held at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, saw the Pipers dominate and begin their campaign on a high note after a disappointing last-place finish in the previous edition.
Clinical Goals Seal the Victory
The breakthrough for the visiting side came in the 27th minute from their second penalty corner of the contest. Captain and Indian international Navneet Kaur made no mistake, converting a perfectly executed push and trap to slot the ball into the left-bottom corner. Ranchi's goalkeeper, Bichu Devi Kharibam, got a touch but could not prevent the goal.
The Pipers then put the result beyond doubt early in the final quarter. Uruguayan forward Teresa Viana scored a superb field goal, finishing calmly after receiving an impeccable cross from the right flank. She showed great composure as both goalkeeper Bichu Devi and captain Nikki Pradhan rushed out, placing the ball into the net despite the presence of defender Ishika Chaudhary on the goal line.
Defensive Rock and a Coach's Brave Call
While the attackers delivered, the defensive unit was equally outstanding. Spanish defender Lola Riera put in a player-of-the-match performance, marshalling the backline effectively. Her effort was particularly remarkable given she spent five hours in the hospital on Saturday morning due to illness from adapting to spicy Indian food. "I was sick because we are not used to spicy food... But with all the crowd and the people and my teammates, playing became easy," Riera revealed post-match.
Another notable decision came from coach Sofie Gierts, the former Belgian international. She showed faith in young Indian talent by starting with goalkeeper Bansari Solanki for the first two quarters, keeping experienced Argentine custodian Cristina Cosentino on the bench initially. Solanki justified the call with a confident performance.
Areas for Improvement for the Royals
For the home side, the Ranchi Royals, it was a debut to forget in terms of the result. A major area of concern was their inefficiency from penalty corners, as they failed to convert any of the five they earned during the match. However, there were positives, with Argentine forward Agustina Albertarrio impressing with her dynamic runs down the left flank, suggesting she will be a key player for the team this season.
The victory sets a strong foundation for the SG Pipers, who now look like a well-organized unit capable of challenging for the finals. The Royals, meanwhile, have immediate work to do on their set-piece execution as they look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
