Manpreet Singh will be a key player for India in the World Cup
#4 Billy Bakker (The Netherlands)
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Marijne describes Bakker as a complete midfielder
When the Netherlands take on Malaysia in a Pool D clash on December 1, it will be the third World Cup for veteran Billy Bakker. The 30-year-old was part of the Dutch squad that won silver medals at the Delhi World Cup in 2010 and at the 2012 London Olympics.
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Sjoerd Marijne, coach of the Indian women's team who spent 3 years coaching Billy at home knows a thing or two about the ace midfielder and described his one-time protege thus.
"Great overview and loves to play combination hockey. I was his coach for three years. He Is also to able to score as a midfielder - very complete."
Holland took on Australia in the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics a couple of years back, in an encounter that was touted to be a revenge match. The Kookaburras had annihilated the Dutch in the finals of the 2014 World Cup by a massive 6-1 margin and Max Caldas' boys were eager to turn the tables.
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Less than a minute had elapsed before Billy Bakker found the net with a powerful reverse and delivered a superb assist to Bob de Voogd after dodging past three Aussie defenders just before halftime.
Bakker's ability to deliver precise and effective defense-splitting assists, along with his goal-poaching skills may well help the Dutch capture a World Cup gold after a gap of 20 years.
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About the author
Subhashish Majumdar
Subhashish has been an Indian sports journalist at Sportskeeda since 2017. He primarily covers hockey along with other Indian Sports, and endeavors to bridge the coverage gap between the multitude of Indian sports and cricket via his articles. Subhashish’s interest in Indian sports peaked after watching a few hockey and football matches live during his childhood days, and has also played Hockey, Football, Table Tennis, Badminton at school and college level.
As a journalist, he covered every single Indian hockey match at the 2018 & 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2018 & 2023 Asian Games, 2018 Women's World Cup, 2018 & 2023 Men’s World Cup and the 2021 Olympics. An interview specialist, he has conducted over 100 interviews with the Indian Men's and Women's Hockey team, and has also been part of the UK-based DesiSportsCast Podcast.
Subhashish’s favorite Indian athlete is Vandana Katariya for her relentlessness and never-say-die attitude. For him, India men's hockey team's 7-1 win over Pakistan in 2017 Hockey World League semis on the same day as India men's cricket team's loss to the same opponent in the Champions Trophy final is an iconic moment in Indian Sports history.
When not writing, he likes to spend his free time blogging, singing, jogging, and trekking.