Hockey World Cup 2018, Belgium vs Netherlands: 3 Standout Players from the Final

#1 Vincent Vanasch (Belgium)

Vincent Vanasch's splendid anticipation and stellar reflexes came to the fore in the shootout

If it was Pirmin Blaak's moment of reckoning in the Netherlands' semifinal against Australia, this was Vincent Vanasch's time to shine. The Belgian goalkeeper displayed stellar anticipation and sharp reflexes to outsmart the Dutch strikers in the high-octane penalty shootout.

In regulation time, Vanasch made numerous sterling saves to keep the scoreline intact. Right at the start of the match, he came to Belgium's rescue against the rampaging Jeroen Hertzberger. During a challenging phase in the final quarter, the veteran goalkeeper successfully kept the Netherlands attackers at bay.

During the penalty shootout, Vanasch brought his team back into the contest by denying Mirco Pruijser. Showing the value of experience in such tense situations, he kept his cool and managed to predict the feet movements of the Dutch strikers.

The 30-year old watched the ball closely and made a move at the precise instants. The goalkeeper's acute awareness played a key role in the Netherlands missing their last three chances in the shootout. Deservedly, Vanasch was named Player of the Match.