In the first game of the new Women’s Hockey India League, which began here on Sunday, Odisha Warriors defeated Delhi SG Pipers 4-0, led by a brace from Dutch player Yibbi Jansen. Baljeet Kaur (42′) and Freeke Moes (43′) scored for the winners in addition to Jansen (16′ and 37′). Both teams were cautious in the first quarter as they took their time finding a rhythm.
The first quarter went goalless despite the Pipers and Warriors having a few half-time opportunities but failing to find the finishing touch. In the 16th minute, the Warriors gained a penalty corner, and Jansen scored the first goal. One of the game’s top drag flickers, the Dutch athlete made no mistakes as she smashed the flick past goalie Elodie Picard. In the 21st minute, the Pipers secured their first penalty corner.
However, the injection was not neatly contained. Halfway through the third quarter, Jansen scored again to give the Warriors a two-point advantage. Stephanie de Groof, who was standing on the post, had little time to react when the Dutch star smashed her drag-flick into the corner. The Warriors had a 3-0 lead five minutes later. Baljeet played the ball to Neha Goyal after dribbling along the goalline.
Top Billing Justified
Baljeet curled the ball beyond Picard after it bounced back to him from Neha’s stick. As the Pipers looked for a consolation goal in the last quarter, the Warriors were happy to defend their lead. After captain Neha was given a yellow card in the 49th minute, the Warriors were reduced to 10 players for five minutes. Despite their numerical advantage, the Pipers failed to capitalise.
Schopman had described Yibbi Jansen after the auction, “She is the best drag-flicker by far in the world. Everyone wanted her, but we made our strategy in a way that we would get her. Some of the Indians, who I’d have loved to have on our side, went for high prices. But we stuck to our plans and got Yibbi for just under what we had planned.”
