During the mini-auction before Women’s Hockey India League, Shrachi Bengal Tigers spent 42 lakhs on Argentine player Agustina Gorzelany and the reasoning behind the decision was evident in their season opener against Soorma Hockey Club on Monday.
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In a game dominated by Soorma in terms of circle penetrations, possession and penalty corners won, it was Gorzelany’s 11th minute strike that was the differentiator between the win and loss. Bengal Tigers won 1-o to start their campaign with full three points.
Soorma had 28 circle entries and won 13 penalty corners but failed to breach the astute defence of Bengal Tigers.
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The match started as the battle of midfields with Soorma being the dominant team with their constant forays in the Tigers’ shooting circle. However, they failed to take their chances. When they got a chance, Tigers attacked down the wings and won a penalty corner in the 11th minute. Gorzelany stepped up to take the flick and her powerful flick went right of an onrushing Nisha leaving goalkeeper Savita Punia rooted to her spot.
After going 0-1 down, Sooram attacked relentlessly in the second quarter and won three penalty corners but the best chance they had was when Shihori Oikawa’s shot was deflected wide.
Baljeet Kaur earned a penalty corner for Soorma to start the second half but a variation by Salima Tete was wide of the target. They continued to push the Tigers back into their own half but the Tigers showcased exemplary defence to keep their nose ahead and went on to make occasional attacks, stretching the game.
As the game moved forward, Tigers showed more creativity especially in the third quarter but missed the finishing touch. In the final quarter, Tigers played strategically and slowed down the temp in an attempt to run the clock down. However, turned up the heat in the dying moments and earned a penalty corner with two minutes left in the game but Penny Squib’s flew wide. The Tigers held together as a unit in the dying moments to seal the 1-0 victory in their first match of the season.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd