Hockey World Cup 2018, Belgium vs Netherlands: 3 reasons why Belgium won the Final

#1 Holding their nerve in the penalty shootout

For Netherlands, it was a case of so near yet so far

When Netherlands pipped Australia by 4-3 in the penalty shootout in the second semifinals of the FIH World Cup 2018, it looked as if the Dutch were all set for a record 4th title.

When the match was stretched to a penalty shootout, all eyes were set on the hero of the previous night, Pirmin Blaak, and it was expected from him to end the 2 decade old World Cup drought for the Dutch. Belgium, however, had other plans.

For the first three shuffles, Netherlands had executed their plans really well. They were ahead by 2-1, and the Dutch crowd was all eager to join in the celebrations that would follow. However, the beauty of the lively penalty shuffles is that it isn't over until the last shot.

The fourth series of shuffles changed the equations,when Vincent Vanasch denied star striker Seve Van Ass a crucial goal, while Florent van Aubel chipped in a goal to equalize the score by 2-2.

The last series went blank, which further stretched the match to sudden death. When Florent Van Aubel scored the goal to give Belgium a lead of 3-2, winds of change were felt by the crowds. Vincent Vanasch then executed a superb save against Jeroen Hertzberger to give Belgium a historic victory.