Hockey World Cup 2018, Netherlands vs Canada: 3 Standout Players from Crossover 4

Reiterating their pedigree as an attacking unit, Netherlands ran rampant at the Kalinga Stadium and registered an emphatic 5-0 victory over Canada.

Pouncing on the disconnected opposition back-line, the Dutch flexed their muscles to set-up a mouthwatering quarter-final against India in the 2018 Hockey World Cup.

Following a goalless opening quarter, Lars Balk's deflection enabled Netherlands to take an early lead in the second quarter. Robbert Kemperman scored in the 20th minute to make it 2-0.

At the 40th minute, Thijs van Dam found a way past David Carter to consolidate Netherlands' lead.

Barely a minute later, Kemperman set off on a sparkling run along the baseline and unveiled a splendid pass to eventual goal-scorer Thierry Brinkman.

Two minutes before the final hooter, Thijs van Dam's canny finishing served as the cherry on top for the irrepressible Dutchmen.

Here are the three standout players from Netherlands' comprehensive victory over Canada in the fourth Crossover match.

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#3 David Carter (Canada)

David Carter took one step to the left and nonchalantly stopped Jeroen Hertzberger's penalty stroke

A scoreline of 0-5 might usually indicate a poor performance from a goalkeeper. However, mere statistics cannot do justice to the resilient effort of David Carter in this match.

Up against the unstoppable Dutch attackers, he singlehandedly ensured that Canada were not buried under a bigger avalanche of goals.

During the early stages of the game, Carter's tenacity frustrated the Netherlands strikers to a significant extent.

He made a multitude of saves to deny the hungry attackers. In the second quarter, he copped a body blow as Bob de Voogd's missile came hurtling at a rapid pace. The goalkeeper's swift reflexes allowed him to move left and stop Jeroen Hertzberger's penalty stroke.

However, the relentless Netherlands attackers overcame Carter's valiance in the third quarter. Their synchronised passing and ability to hunt as a pack helped the Dutch find niche angles to corner the determined Canadian goal-keeper.

Notwithstanding Canada's dismal defeat, Carter did enough to convince the commentators to anoint him as the Player of the Match.

#2 Robbert Kemperman (Netherlands)

Robbert Kemperman generated tremendous intensity in the inner circle

In terms of appearances for Netherlands, Robbert Kemperman is the second most experienced player in their squad after Jeroen Hertzberger.

The 28-year-old, who plies his trade for SV Kampong at the domestic circuit, demonstrated the value of experience with a decisive performance against Canada.

Kemperman's sublime finish propelled Netherlands to a crucial 2-0 lead in the second quarter.

With Thijs van Dam firing in a crash ball, his deflection caught Carter unawares. The composed manner in which he outsmarted the Canadian defence and got in front of goal was a lesson in positioning.

Kemperman followed up his 20th-minute goal with a smooth assist in the 41st minute. He stole possession and weaved through the defenders before unfurling a sterling cross to Thierry Brinkman.

By shifting the backline's attention all towards himself, he made the striker's job much easier.

#1 Thijs van Dam (Netherlands)

Thijs van Dam's incisive approach was too hot to handle for the Canadian

defence

Upon taking a 2-0 lead into half-time, Netherlands could not extend their advantage during the early stages of the third quarter.

Although they were in no significant danger of conceding a goal, the Dutch needed someone to step up and take the game away from Canada's reach.

In Thijs van Dam, they found their perfect enforcer. Having set-up Netherlands' second goal, the 21-year old got himself on the score-sheet at the 40th minute.

The quality of his finish meant that Carter had no choice but to watch the ball sail into the back of the net.

With the match all but sealed in their favour, Netherlands asserted their dominance by making it 5-0 in the 58th minute. Their attackers surged into the inner circle and reeled off a slew of stunning passes.

After receiving a promising pass, Thijs Van Dam spun his way around the marksman before firing the ball past goal-keeper Carter.

Head coach Maximiliano Caldas should be delighted that the young forward's ominous form will add depth to their team combination ahead of the high-pressure quarterfinal clash against the hosts.

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