Pakistan qualify for Champions Trophy semifinal

Lahore: Pakistan beat the Netherlands 4-2 in the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy quarter-final at Bhubaneswar, India, on Thursday. The Netherlands got off to a flying start with Jeroen Hertzberger scoring a goal from mid-circle.

The Netherlands had more control after the big break and got their reward in 38th minute when Rogier Hofman’s driven cross from the right flank picked out Constantijn Jonker for a handy finish. But Pakistan still had an ace up their sleeve and, from their most sustained spell of pressure, went ahead for a second time from a clever corner move, laying the ball into the path of Muhammad Irfan to flick high into the net.

Muhammad Waqas created the equaliser with his right wing work unlocking the door for Muhammad Tousiq to scramble home early in the second quarter. Muhammad Rizwan Senior then drew a brilliant save from Jaap Stockman but 2-1 did arrive a minute before the break when Imran fired low past the Dutch goalkeeper.

It was Pakistan’s first win over the Dutch in the Champions Trophy since 1998.

Then, when the Dutch fluffed a corner of their own, Pakistan countered to win another set piece which Irfan applied the killer touch.