Hockey World Cup 2018, Netherlands vs Malaysia: 5 Talking Points

#2 Permin Blaak - The unsung Hero

Blaak

was the unsung hero of the match (Image Courtesy: Hockey India)

However, apart from people like Max Caldas and Jeroen Hertzberger, if there was one person, who was certainly not given his due credit, it was Permin Blaak. The goalkeeper ensured that his team kept their clean sheet.

For those unaware, Permin Blaak is the same goalkeeper who failed to maintain his cool in the 2014-15 FIH World Hockey League Finals, giving India a historic bronze medal in any major FIH tournament after 33 long years.

He also failed to sustain his momentum in the bronze medal bout, letting Germany save their face and maintain their place on the podium with elan at Rio Olympics 2016.

But not today. It wasn't that Malaysia never got a chance. But this time, Permin Blaak kept his cool, not letting a single Malaysian stroke get past him, and keeping the clean slate intact for Netherlands. He is another player in this match who should get his dues.