SG Pipers opened their Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 campaign with a composed and tactically sound 2–0 victory over Ranchi Royals at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday.
Goals from captain Navneet Kaur (27’) and Teresa Viana (46’) ensured the Pipers began the new season with three points and early momentum.
The opening contest of the league set the tone for what promises to be a competitive season. Both sides began cautiously, prioritising defensive structure in a tightly contested first quarter. There was plenty of intent in possession, but neither team was willing to overcommit, resulting in a measured start with no penalty corners conceded in the early exchanges.
Ranchi Royals showed early attacking promise through Hannah Cotter, whose runs down the left flank consistently tested the Pipers’ backline. Her movement created space and forced defensive adjustments, but the final pass eluded the Royals. At the other end, SG Pipers relied on the familiarity and chemistry of Navneet Kaur and Deepika, who combined effectively to generate circle entries, even if clear-cut chances were initially limited.
The first real opportunity of the evening arrived when Rutuja Dadaso Pisal earned the Royals’ opening penalty corner. However, Maria Ortiz’s drag-flick was well read and comfortably saved by the Pipers’ goalkeeper, setting the tone for a strong defensive performance. SG Pipers responded swiftly, winning back-to-back penalty corners midway through the second quarter. Lola Riera’s efforts were on target but were denied by a resilient Royals defence, with goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam standing firm.
Persistence paid off for the visitors in the 27th minute. After earning yet another penalty corner, SG Pipers finally broke the deadlock through their captain. Navneet Kaur stepped up with authority, unleashing a powerful shot that beat the Royals’ goalkeeper to score the first goal of the Women’s Hero HIL 2025–26 season. The strike not only rewarded Pipers’ sustained pressure but also underlined Navneet’s leadership in decisive moments.
Trailing by a goal at halftime, Ranchi Royals emerged with greater urgency in the third quarter. The home side won three penalty corners in quick succession, each presenting a chance to draw level. However, execution proved costly. Either the final touch was missing or the Pipers’ defence intervened at crucial moments, maintaining their narrow advantage.
SG Pipers, meanwhile, looked dangerous on the counter. Early in the second half, a slick exchange between Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo down the left flank culminated in a fierce attempt aimed at the top corner, only for Bichu Devi to produce a sharp save. The Royals then came agonisingly close to scoring when Lucina von der Heyde’s penalty corner effort was deflected goalward, but Lola Riera’s timely intervention kept the ball out.
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As the match progressed, spaces began to open. Preeti Dubey nearly capitalised when she received the ball inside the circle and fired a low-driven shot, but once again the Royals’ goalkeeper was equal to the task. Despite conceding possession in phases, the Royals struggled to convert territory into goals, a problem that would ultimately define their evening.
The decisive moment arrived at the very start of the final quarter. Teresa Viana found herself with time and space on the left flank, showing composure and skill as she dribbled past the onrushing goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball into the net in the 46th minute. The goal doubled SG Pipers’ advantage and shifted the momentum decisively in their favour. From there, SG Pipers managed the game with maturity. They controlled possession, slowed the tempo, and denied the Royals any clear opportunities to mount a late comeback.
Ranchi continued to push forward, buoyed by home support, but the Pipers’ defensive organisation held firm through the closing stages. The final whistle confirmed a confident opening victory for SG Pipers, who showcased balance across departments clinical finishing, disciplined defence, and leadership in key moments. For Ranchi Royals, the result was disappointing, but there were encouraging signs, particularly in their ability to earn penalty corners and create pressure phases, even if the finishing touch was lacking.
The Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 has thus begun with a competitive and high-quality encounter, setting expectations for the matches ahead. All fixtures of the league will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 3, and DD Sports, with live streaming available on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
