Hockey World Cup 2018: The Netherlands vs Canada - 3 Talking Points

The Dutch were in command in spite of being a bit wayward
The Dutch were in command in spite of being a bit wayward

#3 Are the Dutch saving the best PC routines for the knockouts?

Netherlands v Pakistan - FIH Men's Hockey World Cup

The Dutch have not yet mastered the PC routines

Mink van der Weeden who was all set to take Bhubaneswar by storm after making a grand return to the big stage following a surgery which kept him out the Champions Trophy has not been at his consistent best - at least, not until now!

The ace drag-flicker scored his first against the Malaysians but failed to get going in the match against Germany which his team lost. Against Pakistan, Van der Weeden missed a few but finally managed to deliver a flick that was powerful enough to beat Imran Butt in the last minute of play.

All five goals against the Canadians were scored from open play - and while that may augur well for the Dutch ahead of the knockouts, they failed to get four of their drag-flicks right, shooting a couple of them wide off the post and messing up another completely.

It remains to be seen, however, if the Dutch will spring a surprise or two in the crucial knock-outs by exhibiting a few slick variations which could well catch the opposition unawares.


Head to Sportskeeda to check out the schedule for the upcoming matches.

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