Ranchi: Bengal Tigers once again held its nerve to edge past SG Pipers 0-0 (7-6 SO) in a gripping Women’s Hockey India League 2025-26 encounter, prevailing in sudden-death shootout after a goalless draw in regulation time. In a remarkable repeat of their previous meeting, the contest followed an identical script, with the match once again going down to sudden death and the Tigers emerging victorious to secure a crucial bonus point and confirm its place in the summit clash.
Notably, it was a dead rubber for the Pipers, which had qualified for the final even before coming into this match courtesy of its notable lead at the top of the points tally.
The opening quarter of the match witnessed an end-to-end contest as both SG Pipers and Bengal Tigers went head-to-head with early attacking exchanges.
The Tigers earned a penalty corner inside the opening three minutes but was unable to make the opportunity count. SG Pipers then took control of possession, moving the ball swiftly and creating multiple circle entries to test the Tigers’ defence. Despite the early momentum and chances at both ends, neither side could break the deadlock, as the first quarter ended goalless at 0-0.
Bengal Tigers put the SG Pipers’ defence under early pressure in the second quarter, launching a series of attacks and earning a penalty corner. However, the Pipers’ goalkeeper Bansari Solanki was in fine form, producing multiple brilliant saves to deny the Tigers. Despite sustained pressure and prolonged spells around the Pipers’ circle, the Tigers were unable to find a breakthrough, with the score remaining goalless at 0-0 at the half-time break.
The Tigers started the third quarter with relentless pressing and soon created a golden opportunity when Vandana Katariya surged into the circle and unleashed a powerful close-range shot, only to be denied by a fine save from SG Pipers goalkeeper Bansari Solanki. The Tigers continued to probe the Pipers’ defence with sustained attacks but were unable to find the breakthrough. SG Pipers also mounted a couple of attacking moves of their own, though without reward, as the third quarter ended with the score still locked at 0-0.