Ranchi Royals produced a composed and tactically disciplined performance to defeat JSW Soorma Hockey Club 2–0 in their Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025–26 encounter at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium on Friday.
Goals from Rutuja Dadaso Pisal just before halftime and Sakshi Rana in the final quarter sealed a well-earned victory for the hosts, who combined defensive solidity with clinical finishing to secure three valuable points. The opening quarter set the tone for what was a tightly contested contest, with both sides prioritizing structure and defensive discipline. Ranchi Royals enjoyed more possession in the early exchanges, circulating the ball patiently across the midfield, but JSW Soorma Hockey Club were far more incisive in the attacking third. The visitors made their intent clear by registering as many as 10 circle penetrations in the first 15 minutes, repeatedly testing the Royals’ defensive lines.
Soorma earned the first penalty corner of the match in the 12th minute after sustained pressure inside the circle. However, Penny Squibb’s effort was effectively neutralised by the first rusher, summing up a frustrating evening for the Soorma attack despite their promising build-up play.
As the match moved into the second quarter, Ranchi Royals began to find better rhythm in attack. In the 18th minute, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal tested Savita with a sharp effort, but the JSW Soorma goalkeeper reacted well to keep the ball out. The rebound fell kindly for Hannah Cotter, but she failed to control it cleanly, allowing the Soorma defence to recover and clear the danger.
JSW Soorma were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 25th minute when Ishika conceded a foul inside the circle, resulting in a penalty stroke. Squibb stepped up with confidence, but Ranchi Royals goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo produced a moment of brilliance, diving to her right to deny the Australian and keep the scores level. The save proved to be a crucial turning point in the contest.
Buoyed by the miss, Ranchi Royals regained composure, but Soorma continued to push forward. A penalty corner in the very next minute gave Squibb another chance, yet once again the Royals’ first rusher stood tall, blocking the drag-flick and frustrating the visitors.
Just as it seemed the teams would head into the break goalless, Ranchi Royals struck with seconds remaining in the first half. Agostina Alonso initiated the move with a powerful pass from midfield into the circle. Pisal reacted sharply, showing excellent anticipation and soft hands to deflect the ball past Savita. The goal, scored in the 30th minute, rewarded the Royals’ patience and gave them a slender but significant 1–0 lead at half-time.
JSW Soorma Hockey Club emerged strongly after the interval, clearly intent on restoring parity. Early in the third quarter, Olivia Shannon produced a superb individual effort, winning possession high up the pitch and unleashing a backhanded shot from a dangerous angle. Ranchi Royals goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam, however, was equal to the task, making a sharp save to preserve her team’s advantage.
The Royals responded with a spell of pressure of their own. In the 34th minute, Maria Ortiz came agonisingly close to doubling the lead after beating her marker with a clever change of direction. Her low-driven shot, however, struck the post and bounced away, denying Ranchi a second goal. A late penalty corner at the end of the third quarter offered another opportunity, but a poor trap at the top of the circle meant the chance went begging.
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As the match entered the final quarter, the tempo increased, with Soorma committing more players forward in search of an equaliser. This, however, left space at the back, and Ranchi Royals exploited it with precision. In the 54th minute, Sakshi Rana delivered the decisive blow. Picking up the ball on the right flank, Rana drove into the circle and unleashed a fierce strike from a tight angle that flew into the top right corner of the goal, leaving Savita with no chance and sending the home crowd into celebration.
At 2–0 down, JSW Soorma Hockey Club threw everything forward in the closing minutes. Their persistence earned them a crucial penalty corner in the final minute of the match, offering a slim hope of a late comeback. Squibb once again stepped up, but Bichu Devi Kharibam produced a calm and confident save to deny the drag-flick and complete a well-deserved clean sheet.
The result underlined Ranchi Royals’ growing confidence and defensive organisation, with the team absorbing pressure for long periods and capitalising on key moments in attack. For JSW Soorma Hockey Club, the defeat was a reminder of the fine margins at this level, as missed chances, including a penalty stroke, proved costly despite their dominance in circle entries.
All matches of the Hero Hockey India League are being 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.
