Hockey World Cup 2018: New Zealand 2-1 France – 3 standout players from the match

#2 Stephen Jenness

Stephen Jenness: The Player of the Match

It was only due to this young forward's superb field goal in the 56th minute of the game, that New Zealand managed to breathe a sigh of relief in the final quarter of the match.

One of the three goalscorers who denied the Indian team a third consecutive final at the Commonwealth Games, and subsequently a place on the podium, Stephen Jenness broke the French resistance to find the goalpost and strike the winning goal for his team.

Despite being a frontrunner for New Zealand, the resistance that he received from the French players was enough to make any player in his place lose his cool. However, one must appreciate Stephen for not losing his momentum and continuing to mount the attacks, which finally found success in the dying minutes of the game.

As the World Cup further progresses, the mantle to see New Zealand through the pool stage into either the quarterfinals or at least an easy draw in the crossovers will rest on the shoulders of this brilliant forward.