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SG Pipers Shut Out Ranchi Royals 2-0 in Women's Hockey India League Opener

SG Pipers began their Women's Hockey India League campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Ranchi Royals. Captain Navneet Kaur broke the deadlock with a powerful penalty corner conversion in the 27th minute. Teresa Viana secured the win early in the final quarter with a skillful solo effort, dribbling past the goalkeeper. Despite multiple penalty corner chances, the Royals' attack was consistently denied by a resilient Pipers defense.

Key Points: SG Pipers Beat Ranchi Royals 2-0 in WHIL 2025-26 Opener

  • Navneet Kaur opens scoring
  • Teresa Viana seals victory
  • Defensive battle with saved penalty corners
  • SG Pipers start season with clean sheet win
2 min read

Women's Hockey India League 2025-26: SG Pipers beat Ranchi Royals 2-0 in opening clash

Navneet Kaur and Teresa Viana score as SG Pipers defeat Ranchi Royals 2-0 in the opening match of the Women's Hockey India League 2025-26 season.

"The Pipers held onto their lead... to begin their Hero HIL campaign on a dominant note. - Match Report"

Ranchi, December 29

Spirited SG Pipers defeated Ranchi Royals 2-0 in the opening match of the Women's Hockey India League 2025-26 Season at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday. Captain Navneet Kaur and Teresa Viana scored the goals for SG Pipers.

The first quarter of the match was extremely tight with end-to-end action by both sides. Defences were on top as not a single penalty corner was given away in the opening minutes of the contest. Hannah Cotter of Ranchi Royals was creating problems for her opponents on the left flank, while the attacking duo of Navneet Kaur and Deepika were making the majority of circle entries for the SG Pipers in the first half.

Rutuja Dadaso Pisal won the first penalty corner of the evening for Ranchi Royals; however, the opportunity was squandered as Maria Ortiz's dragflick was saved by the keeper. On the other end in the 25th minute, SG Pipers won back-to-back penalty corners but Lola Riera's shots on goal were denied by the Royals. Two minutes later, Pipers won yet another penalty corner but this time, it was successfully converted by their Captain Navneet Kaur (27') with a powerful shot to score the first goal of Women's Hero HIL 2025-26 season.

The third quarter saw Ranchi Royals win three more penalty corners but the home side failed to find the equaliser. In the opening minutes of the second half, Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo orchestrated a great passage of play from the left as the captain took a shot, eyeing the top corner but Ranchi Royals' Bichu Devi Kharibam made a decisive save. Moments later, Royals came extremely close as Lucina von der Heyde's shot from a penalty corner was deflected away from goal by Lola Riera to keep the Pipers' lead intact. SG Pipers made another threat on goal as Preeti Dubey found the ball inside the circle but her low-driven shot was saved by the goalkeeper.

In the first minute of the final quarter itself, SG Pipers increased their advantage thanks to Teresa Viana (46'), who found acres of space on the left as she dribbled past the charging Ranchi Royals' goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the net. The Pipers held onto their lead in the remaining minutes of the match to claim a crucial win and begin their Hero HIL campaign on a dominant note.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Ranchi Royals had so many penalty corners but couldn't convert even one! That's where the match was lost. Bichu Devi made some good saves, but the forwards need to be more clinical. Disappointing start for the home team.
A
Aman W
Teresa Viana's goal was pure class! That dribble past the keeper showed great composure. It's wonderful to see such talented international players in our league, raising the competition level.
S
Sarah B
As a new fan following from abroad, the pace of the game was incredible. End-to-end action as described. Hannah Cotter and Navneet Kaur were standout players. Looking forward to more matches!
K
Karthik V
While the win is great, I hope the broadcast and coverage improves. It's still hard to catch all the matches on mainstream sports channels. If we want the league to grow, it needs better visibility for the amazing athletes.
N
Nisha Z
Sunelita Toppo and Deepika were linking up so well! The future of Indian hockey is bright with these young players getting to play alongside experienced captains and international stars. Jai Hind!

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