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The title of the world’s tallest goalkeeper comes with its fair share of burden. It is what Delhi Dynamos custodian Kristof van Hout has to live with. The 27-year-old Belgian stands at 2.08 metres, or 6 feet 10 inches - a height that works to his advantage and disadvantage alike.
Growing up in the small town of Lommel in Belgium, van Hout started his football journey in Belgium and then in the Netherlands. Playing for KV Kortrjk in 2008, he famously saved three penalties in a match against then champions Standard Liege, which earned him a transfer to the latter club. Despite not seeing enough game time with Standard Liege, he won the Belgian Cup, and won the same competition with rivals Racing Genk a few years later.
He stepped into Thibaut Courtois’ shoes at Genk in 2012, and played there for two seasons before taking up a new challenge in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). "I am eagerly looking forward to playing in India, which has a sizeable fan following for the game of football. I am confident that it will be an enjoyable and fruitful experience to play in Indian conditions," remarked the keeper on his signing.
However, Delhi did not get off to the best of starts in the ISL, winning just once in their first nine matches, which kept them at the foot of the table. More recently though, they have had back-to-back victories against NorthEast United and Mumbai City FC and Van Hout was ecstatic with the team’s performance. “Of course, it’s important not only for me but for the whole team. I’m very happy with the performance of the team,” he said.
The Belgian has kept three clean sheets in the league so far and has also made the most saves that have impressed manager Harm van Veldhoven. “Van Hout is a seasoned player, who has contributed immensely to his teams in the past due to his fine goalkeeping skills. His height is a big advantage, especially in close games that go down to penalty shootouts,” the coach said.
Delhi come up against Atletico de Kolkata next, and a lot will depend on Van Hout’s safe hands in this crucial tie.
