Bengal Tigers Beat Soorma 1-0 in HIL

Shrachi Bengal Tigers started their Women’s Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2025–26 season with a 1–0 win over JSW Soorma Hockey Club at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Astro Turf Stadium in Ranchi on Tuesday.

The only goal of the match was scored by Agustina Gorzelany in the 11th minute through a powerful drag flick during the first quarter. Despite attacking strongly for most of the game, JSW Soorma Hockey Club could not break through the Tigers’ strong defence.

The match began with both teams battling hard in the midfield. Gradually, Soorma gained control and entered the Tigers’ shooting circle several times but failed to take shots. With five minutes left in the first quarter, the Tigers earned a penalty corner, which Gorzelany converted by sending the ball into the bottom right corner. Soorma also earned a penalty corner at the end of the quarter, but Shihori Oikawa’s attempt went wide.

Soorma continued to attack in the second quarter and won several penalty corners. However, Lalremsiami’s brave defensive runs helped the Tigers protect their lead. Soorma’s Maria Granatto made a strong run through the centre after a Tigers’ mistake, but Valentina Raposo defended well and forced her wide.

At the start of the second half, Soorma earned another penalty corner, but Salima Tete’s variation missed the target. Soorma kept pushing the Tigers into their own half, but the Tigers’ defence remained solid. The Tigers also made a few counter-attacks, keeping the match open.

As the third quarter went on, the Tigers created more chances but could not score again. Soorma tried different penalty corner moves to equalise, but none worked. The quarter ended with both teams pushing hard for a goal, but the score stayed 1–0.