Women's Hockey India League: It's Tigers and Pipers in title clash

Having already booked their place in the final of the Women's Hockey India League, SG Pipers named a starting XI featuring nine Indian players, the maximum allowed under league regulations, for the match against Shrachi Bengal Tigers in Ranchi on Tuesday.

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It was a bold move from coach Sophie Gierts and for the entire 60 minutes Pipers went toe to toe with the Bengal Tigers as the match remained goalless in regulation time at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium.




However, young Indian goalkeeper Bansari Solanki, who made some great saves during the match, was finally undone during the penalty shoot-outs as Bengal Tigers won it 7-6 and booked their summit clash against the same opponents to be played on Saturday.

It was Bengal Tigers' second shoot-out win against the Pipers, and they remained second on the table with 10 points from five matches. Pipers have 11 from as many matches and continue to top of the table.

JSW Soorma Hockey Club were already knocked out earlier after losing four consecutive matches and Ranchi Royals, with six points from five matches, were shown the door on Tuesday after Bengal Tigers grabbed the win.

The remaining two league matches will see Bengal Tigers take on Soorma Hockey Club while Pipers will face off against Royals and it will give both the finalists a chance to prepare better for the big clash.

Earlier, Bengal Tigers went on the attack from the very word go and grabbed their first PC in the third minute itself. They failed to convert but remained in control of the encounter making innumerable circle entries. They also earned a total of five PCs and had three shots on goal.

Despite all that, they just couldn't get the ball past Solanki. Even in the shoot-outs she made three saves but eventually in the sudden death Bengal Tigers grabbed the win when Sukhveer Kaur scored for them and Jennifer Rizzo denied Pipers' Ishika from scoring.


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