Hockey World Cup 2018: Semifinals - Netherlands vs Australia - 3 reasons why Netherlands were victorious

3 reasons why Netherlands won the match against Australia
3 reasons why Netherlands won the match against Australia

#1 Pirmin Blaak, the hero of the match

Pirmin Blaak - the Hero of the Semifinals
Pirmin Blaak - the Hero of the Semifinals

He was witness to some of the most agonizing losses. Be it the humiliating loss to India in the FIH World Hockey League Finals 2015, or to Germany in the bronze medal bout of Rio Olympics 2016, the goalkeeper of Netherlands, Pirmin Blaak has seen it all.

However, in this match, it was due to his saving skills, that he surprised the Australians, just his Indian counterpart P R Sreejesh, and denied them crucial goals, which could've changed the equations for the entire match.

Even in the penalty shootouts, if Australians failed to convert a golden opportunity in their hands, it was due to the presence of this very goalkeeper. Be it Aran Zalewski, or Tim Brand, or even Daniel Beale, none clicked in front of Pirmin Blaak, who stood solid as a rock in between their goals and the Netherlands dream of a sweet revenge against the Kookaburras.

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