New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Fourteen years is a long career in sport. More so, if you are a hockey goalkeeper. But the Dutch great Guus Vogels makes the job look all too easy because his philosophy is simple.

'Goalkeeping is fun,' says Vogels, breaking into a laughter, minutes after the Netherlands were involved in easily the best game of the World Cup, against defending champions Germany. There was no trace of any stress on his face even after standing up to bullet-like strikes.

Vogels has been the star attraction in every match the Dutch played here. He turns 35 on March 26, but his acrobatic saves and reflexes belie his age. When the action is in the Dutch goalmouth, there is palpable excitement whether any strike can beat him or how well would he negotiate with a difficult situation.

Vogels has not only been the best goalkeeper on view, but also one of the best players in the tournament, providing immense joy to the sparse crowd.

'I try to make it more exciting for the crowd which comes to watch a good competition,' Vogels, proud owner of two Olympics and four Champions Trophy gold medals, told IANS.

Vogels, who started his international career in 1996, was part of the Dutch squad that won the gold medal at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics and the first-choice goalkeeper at the Athens Games where they won the silver.

Vogels, who declared this would be his last shot at becoming a World Champion, has summoned all his experience to add the Cup to his list of laurels.

'Yes, I want to finish with a World Cup gold, that is the motivation. But I have always given my best to my team and it is no different here.

'I am patient and sharp. I am making the right moves and my anticipation is good. I am satisfied with what I am doing for my team.'

'I have been the side's number one goalkeeper for 10 years. I have reached a level where I know what I have to do and what my team expects of me,' says Vogels modestly when asked whether he rates his showing here as his best.

Has a goalkeeper's job become more difficult as every rule change is aimed at scoring more goals?

'But, it also means more work for the goalkeepers, more opportunities for us,' Vogels says.

'The rule changes have made the game fast-paced. There are more goals after the new self-pass rule. It has made the job of a goalkeeper more challenging.'

As for his longevity in the game, Vogels attributes it to the technological advancement.

'In all the years I have been playing, there has been tremendous improvement in the protective gears with the technological advancement. I remember goalkeeper using bamboo sticks as leg guards. Now we have more protection and there are fewer injuries. I am lucky to be playing for so long.'

Vogels, a role model for many young goalkeepers, is impressed with several goalkeepers.

'There are quite a few I have been impressed with, England goalkeeper James Fair and Argentina's Juan Thomas Espinosa, to name offhand.'