Ranchi, Dec 31 (UNI): SG Pipers grind out a tactical masterclass in the Women’s Hockey India League 2025-26 to register 1-0 victory over JSW Soorma Hockey Club through captain Navneet Kaur’s blistering early strike, unyielding defensive resolve, and seamless teamwork that propelled them atop the points table with two flawless wins from two.
SG Pipers set the tone from the opening whistle with tactical passing and aggressive intent, immediately putting Soorma Hockey Club under pressure and seizing control of the midfield exchanges. The breakthrough came as a moment of sheer brilliance from captain Navneet Kaur, who read the game superbly to intercept a pass in her own half, glide forward on a surging solo run, effortlessly dribble past two Soorma defenders at the top of the circle, and unleash a precise finish that left goalkeeper Savita rooted to the spot in just the fourth minute.
Meanwhile, Soorma pushed hard to claw their way back with a series of determined attacking forays, yet SG Pipers’ defensive unit, marshalled by seasoned campaigners Udita and Valentina Costa Biondi, shut the door on every opening with calm authority, enabling Pipers to carry their 1-0 lead with confidence into the first break.
The second quarter witnessed Soorma come out with renewed intent, pressing high and earning the first penalty corner of the match, but failed to make it count as Pipers’ defensive organisation held firm.
In response, SG Pipers’ gifted midfield trio of Sunelita Toppo, Juana Morello, and Ishika took charge, prioritising sharp passing and sustained possession to squeeze the space and heap further pressure on Soorma. As the half wore on, Pipers smartly shifted into slick counter-attacking mode, carving out two glorious chances through the dynamic duo of Sunelita Toppo and Preeti Dubey, both of whom came agonisingly close to doubling the lead, missing the target by the narrowest of margins.
To cap their dominant half, SG Pipers also stood tall to deny
Soorma on a second penalty corner just before the hooter, preserving their slender yet fully-earned 1-0 advantage at the interval and underlining the team’s discipline, resilience, and collective quality.
Soorma emerged after the break with aggressive intent, relentlessly pushing forward in search of an equaliser and repeatedly probing the SG Pipers’ defence with sustained attacking waves. Even when the Pipers were reduced to ten players for around five minutes following a yellow card to star forward Deepika, the team’s defensive unit held its shape superbly, closed down spaces, and refused to buckle under pressure.
Anchoring this resistance was goalkeeper Bansari Solanki, who produced a stunning, match-defining save in the dying seconds of the third quarter to deny Soorma a certain goal. That breathtaking intervention not only preserved SG Pipers’ slender advantage but also epitomised the side’s collective resilience and refusal to let their dominance from the first half go to waste.
With Soorma throwing caution to the wind to chase the equaliser, SG Pipers stood tall, frustrating every advance through razor-sharp tactical passing and an impregnable defensive wall that left the opposition punching air. The Pipers’ collective mindset shone through, refusing to yield an inch despite the mounting intensity.
Sunelita Toppo and Sharmila Devi linked up masterfully in a devastating tandem, sparking a lethal counter that earned SG Pipers back-to-back penalty corners and had Soorma’s defense in disarray—though the clinical finish eluded them this time. Moments later, captain Navneet Kaur engineered another one-on-one showdown with goalkeeper Savita, embodying the Pipers’ relentless threat, even if the keeper edged it on this occasion.
In the dying embers with under 90 seconds remaining, Soorma gambled by pulling their goalkeeper for an extra outfield player, but SG Pipers’ disciplined unit play and unwavering game plan smothered the threat completely. This hard-fought 1-0 win helped the Pipers registered two wins in as many games, brimming with momentum and unbreakable spirits ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Shrachi Bengal Tigers.
