Odisha Warriors begin campaign in style, rout Delhi SG Pipers 4-0 in HIL opener

RANCHI: The last time Janneke Schopman was here at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium, she had left the field almost in tears after India lost to Japan and failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
However, on Sunday the Dutch coach made a triumphant return to the stadium as her side Odisha Warriors began the Women’s Hockey India League in style by thrashing Delhi SG Pipers 4-0 in front of a boisterous crowd.
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The win meant a lot for Schopman and she did not hold back her emotions as Odisha scored their four goals – each better than the last one. It was 2024 FIH Women’s Player of the Year Yibbi Jansen who scored twice from the penalty corners while Baljeet Kaur and Freeke Moes scored one goal each as Odisha showed that they will be the team to beat during the tournament.
The team played like a well-oiled machine and could have even scored more had they converted all their chances. As for Delhi coach Dave Smolenaars, he will have a lot to do to make sure they can make a comeback from this routing.
Earlier, Odisha Warriors took the lead in the first minute of the second quarter when they won the first PC of the match. As expected, Jansen came up to it and she put it into the net with ease. Delhi SG Pipers goalkeeper Elodie Picard made a full stretch but still failed to keep it out.
The goal brought to life the Delhi side and they won their first PC a few minutes later following a foul on Lily Owsley. However, it wasn’t trapped properly, and the opportunity went to waste. But they won their second PC almost immediately and this time young Indian star Deepika couldn’t keep her shot on target.
Not only did they fail to convert the PCs, but they also wasted two great chances as far as field goals were concerned during the next few minutes. First, it was Preeti Dubey, and then Suneilita Toppo missed a sitter from close range when she hit the ball wide of the target.
Those were costly misses, and Odisha took full advantage of them and won themselves their second PC of the game. Once again Jansen took it but this time the Delhi goalkeeper kept it out with her left hand.
She however didn’t have to wait too long as Odisha won their third PC of the night seven minutes into the third quarter and this time Jansen put into the right of the net. It was brilliantly placed and there was nothing that goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam could do about it.
The match was laid to rest five minutes later when Baljet played a one-two with Neha Goyal before sounding the board from close range. Even before Delhi could recover from it, Odisha scored their fourth of the night a minute later and this time it was Freeke who got her name on the scoreboard.
Towards the very end, Delhi did win a couple of PCs but they couldn’t convert them, and Odisha made a dream start to the tournament.