The Women’s Hero Hockey India League 2025 kicked off on Sunday in Ranchi, where the Odisha Warriors defeated the Delhi SG Pipers 4-0. Yibbi Jansen (16′ and 37′), Baljeet Kaur (42′), and Freeke Moes (43′) were the scorers for Odisha.
Vibrant Opening
To begin the match, a colorful opening ceremony showcased the rich culture of Jharkhand. Kalpana Soren, MLA of Jharkhand and wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, unveiled the Women’s Hockey India League trophy alongside the captains of the four teams.
Slow Start
Initially, both teams played cautiously. They took time to settle into their rhythm. As a result, although they created several chances, no goals were scored in the first quarter, and the score remained 0-0.
In the 16th minute, Yibbi Jansen made her mark. The Warriors won a penalty corner, and Jansen’s drag flick was perfectly executed, flying past Delhi’s goalkeeper, Elodie Picard. This goal gave Odisha a 1-0 lead.
Pipers Struggle
Despite a few penalty corners, the Delhi SG Pipers couldn’t find the back of the net. In the 21st minute, their first penalty corner was mishandled, and their second and third attempts were saved by Odisha’s goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram.
Warriors Double the Lead
Odisha doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Jansen struck again, this time with another powerful drag flick that found the corner of the net, giving Odisha a 2-0 advantage.
Not long after, in the 42nd minute, Baljeet Kaur extended Odisha’s lead to 3-0. She dribbled along the goal line, passed to Neha Goyal, and then curled the ball past Picard to score.
Moes Seals the Win
Just a minute later, Freeke Moes made it 4-0. She skillfully maneuvered past a couple of defenders and fired the ball past Picard, securing the Warriors’ dominant lead.
Strong Defense
With a comfortable 4-0 advantage, Odisha shifted their focus to defending. Although the Pipers pressed forward in search of a goal, Odisha’s defense remained solid. Even when Odisha’s captain Neha received a yellow card in the 49th minute, the Pipers failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Closing Moments
In the final minutes, the Pipers earned a couple more penalty corners. However, Odisha’s defense cleared them without difficulty, ensuring that the Warriors clinched the 4-0 victory.
In conclusion, Odisha Warriors showcased an outstanding performance in their opening match of the Women’s Hockey India League, dominating both in attack and defense.
