Warming up to the occasion, Pakistan bounced back to reckoning in the Bhubaneswar Champions trophy, drubbing World CUp silver medallist Netherlands 4-2 in the first quarterfinal.

Thus Pakistan, like in Melbourne two years ago, booked its semifinal berth.

Pak took 2-1 lead at half time in the first quarter final in the sultry noon, with goals from Umar Bhutta and Imran Mohd.

Pakistan converted both the penalty corners it got in the fourth quarter, to end the contest on a high note (4-2).

Irfan Mohd latched on to a laborious indirect penalty corner drill to give Pakistan again lead (3-2) in the 51st minute before he struck another thorugh the third and last penalty corner (4-2).

In the third quarter Constantijn Jonker bounced on to a long pass to neutralize the lead (2-2).

When Joren Hertzberger stunned Imran Shah and other six defenders as early as 5th minuter with a reverse shot (1-0), as half a dozen Pakistan players stood rooted and ball watched, a rout seemed to be in store, but thankfully it was not.

Though Pakistan made first inroad in the rival’s D very late, whenever it did subsequently, it mattered

After successfully defending a seventh minute penalty corner, Pakistan equalized through Umar Bhutta, who bounced on to a gentle rebound from already falled Jaap Stockmann (1-1).

Two minutes before the half time, captain Imran Mohad had no difficulty to convert team’s first penalty corner. His straight drive struck Japp and then bounced into the net (2-1).

Captain Imran Mohd was declared Man of the Match.