Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi

Ranchi, Dec 29: SG Pipers skipper Navneet Kaur lived up to her pre-season promise as she led her side to a confident 2-0 victory over Ranchi Royals on the opening night of the second edition of the Women’s Hockey India League in Ranchi.

Ahead of the tournament, Navneet had stressed her focus on playing more attacking hockey and making a greater impact through set pieces, particularly penalty corners — an area she had excelled in during the recent Asia Cup. She delivered on that intent by breaking the deadlock with a well-taken penalty corner goal and setting the tone for the Pipers’ campaign.

Although Ranchi Royals dominated the early exchanges, it was the Pipers who came closest initially. A high ball following a turnover fell invitingly for Navneet, who controlled it smartly and drove into the circle. Goalkeeper Bichu Devi was alert to deny the danger on the rebound.

Royals earned the first penalty corner of the match early in the second quarter through Rutuja Pisal, but Pipers goalkeeper Bansari Solanki and the defence held firm. While Pipers struggled to find rhythm in attack and missed the presence of drag-flicker Deepika during key moments, Navneet stepped up in her absence and calmly slotted a low shot past Madhuri Kindo to give her side the lead.

Ranchi continued to earn penalty corners but failed to capitalise due to repeated breakdowns in their injection and trapping routines. Those missed chances proved costly when Teresa Viana doubled the Pipers’ advantage early in the final quarter, finishing off a neat solo effort that deflected in off a defender.

The Pipers then defended resolutely to shut out Royals’ late push, sealing an impressive opening win. Having managed just one victory last season, the early signs suggest a far more promising campaign for Navneet Kaur and her team.