Men's Hockey World Cup 2018: 5 teams with the best defence

#3 Netherlands

Sander Baart in action against Pakistan

The Dutch have, of late, transformed into a side with loads of flair, but have the expertise to keep the best strikers in the world at bay as well.

Sander Baart, who interestingly, has Belgian roots, has been manning Holland's defence for almost a decade now. The 30-year-old defender was part of the Dutch squad which won silver at the Delhi World Cup in 2010 and silver at home in 2014.

The Germans are quite familiar with the kind of resistance that their neighbours and long-time rivals can offer, but, in Bhubaneswar, their Asian group mates in Pool D - Malaysia and Pakistan, may well face a formidable hurdle in trying to weave their way past Baart, alongside Mink van der Weeden, and Glenn Schuurman in the Dutch defence.

At the Champions Trophy at Breda, earlier this year, Max Caldas' side were without van der Weeden but conceded just 7 goals, in 6 matches, during the course of the entire tournament.

It will be fascinating to witness the battle between the free-flowing Asians pitted against a resolute European defensive style in the World Cup's Group of Death.

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