Gorzelany clinches crucial win for Tigers against Ranchi Royals
Shrachi Bengal Tigers delivered a masterclass in defensive resilience to overcome Ranchi Royals 1-0 in a high-stakes encounter on Sunday. This match, the eighth fixture of the ongoing Women's Hero Hockey India League, took place at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro Turf Hockey Stadium. The narrow victory has propelled the Tigers to the second position on the points table, marking their second win of the season.
The match began with the Ranchi Royals showing immense aggression on their home turf. Controlling the midfield tempo, the Royals launched multiple attacks, earning five penalty corners and penetrating the circle seven times in the first quarter alone. However, Tigers’ goalkeeper Jennifer Rizzo stood like a wall, denying the hosts any early celebration. Despite a few counter-attacks from the Tigers and sharp saves by Bichu Devi Kharibam, the first quarter ended in a stalemate.
The momentum shifted slightly in the second quarter as the Shrachi Bengal Tigers began to find their rhythm. They mounted several waves of attack, forcing the Royals’ defense into back-to-back errors. Madhuri Kindo, the talented goalkeeper from Odisha, showed exceptional reflexes under the bar for the Royals, ensuring the score remained 0-0 heading into the halftime break.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 37th minute. Following a well-executed penalty corner, Agustina Gorzelany fired a powerful shot into the net. This marked Gorzelany’s fourth goal of the Women's Hero Hockey India League season, giving the Tigers a slim but vital 1-0 lead.
Ranchi Royals dominated possession in the final quarter, desperately seeking an equalizer. They bombarded the Tigers' circle and earned five more penalty corners, but the visitors' defense remained impenetrable. The disciplined backline of the Tigers ensured they walked away with all three points, leaving the home crowd disappointed but appreciative of the high-quality hockey on display.
