Table-toppers JSW Soorma faced their first loss of the Hockey India League season, falling 2-0 to Delhi SG Pipers at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. Despite earning eight penalty corners, Soorma struggled to score, while Pipers took their chances and secured their first victory of the league.
The game started with Soorma’s defense holding strong, led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, who made several key saves, including a brilliant block against Mumtaz Khan’s reverse-stick attempt. Soorma had an early opportunity when Hina Bano earned a penalty corner, but it was overturned after a referral by the Pipers.
Pipers broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Sangita Kumari scored from a penalty corner deflection. Despite Soorma’s efforts to fight back, they couldn’t find a way past Pipers’ solid one-on-one marking. Salima Tete, fresh off her Arjuna Award win, came close with a powerful shot, but it was blocked by the Pipers’ defense. Soorma earned multiple penalty corners in the third quarter, including one they thought they had scored from, but the goal was disallowed after a referral.
In the final quarter, Deepika doubled Pipers’ lead with a low flick from their 10th penalty corner. Soorma substituted Savita Punia for an extra outfield player in the last five minutes, but their attack failed to break through the Pipers’ defense.
The loss was a tough blow for Soorma, who had been unbeaten until now. Missed chances and unconverted penalty corners cost them the game, but they remain a strong contender for the league’s top spot.
