Kathryn Mullan's double strike made all the difference as Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers beat Delhi SG Pipers 2-0 in a Women’s Hockey India League match in Ranchi on Wednesday. (More Hockey News)
Mullan scored in the 21st and 33rd minutes to hand the Bengal Tigers all the points from the match.
With this win, Bengal Tigers have seven points, three fewer than Soorma Club and Odisha Warriors.
Bengal Tigers need to secure a massive victory in their final match against Soorma to have any chance of making it to the final.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his enthusiasm and stated: "This bilateral series against Germany will be a remarkable showcase of world-class hockey. Both India and Germany have a rich history in the sport, and this series will give fans an opportunity to witness an intense competition between two of the most formidable teams in the world.
It was an engaging first quarter of play with both teams vying for domination in the midfield.
The only goal-scoring chance of the quarter was created by Bengal Tigers when they won a penalty corner in the 13th minute. Captain Udita’s effort was dealt with by the SG Pipers defence.
Delhi SG Pipers had a good start to the second quarter as they won their first penalty corner of the match. Deepika’s drag flick was turned away brilliantly by Bengal Tigers goalkeeper Jennifer Rizzo.
The Tigers took the lead in the 21st minute through Mullan. The Irish player did really well to bring the ball to the edge of the circle, and with her back to the goal, beat goalkeeper Bansari Solanki.
The Tigers did well to control the flow of the match as they defended their 23m zone and threatened the SG Pipers defence on the counter.
It did not take too long into the third quarter for the Tigers to score with Mullan notching her second of the night.
free mobile slotsThe goal, however, was set up by Lalremsiami who went on a brilliant solo run down the right channel and the goal-line before squaring the ball to Mullan to tap in.
The SG Pipers went all out for a goal as they notched 13 circle penetrations in the third quarter. The Bengal Tigers defence did extremely well to limit the SG Pipers to just three shots on goal.
It was a similar story in the fourth quarter as the SG Pipers continued to put pressure on the Bengal Tigers defence. Howeverhuuugebet, it just was not their night as the Bengal Tigers held on to secure an important win.