Modest Ravi Pal refuses to take credit for draw against Pakistan

PERTH: A modest Ravi Pal on Friday refused to take credit for ensuring India draw Pakistan 1-1 by scoring the equaliser in a thrilling league match of the Lanco International Super Series Hockey 9s.

“It’s OK I scored. In fact, I tried it clicked, nothing more than that. I would have been happy had we defeated them, for we had many chances to go up and end that way,” said the 28-year-old who struck back for India with a stunner within a minute after Pakistan had taken the lead.

Ravi Pal has been in fine touch here with quick reflexes and hawkish eye for gaps. He also scored in India’s 3-6 defeat against New Zealand in the opening match.

He traditionally plays at midfield and sets up forwards for goals.

Asked on his transformation from being the pivot to striker, he said he was doing the job the coach has assigned him to.

“My job is to do what the coach asks me to. What is important is to follow what the coach says. This tournament is for scoring goals. He trained all of us for scoring, so am doing what he has asked me to do,” he said.

“We have to play the Olympic Qualifiers in the 11 vs 11 format. If the coach feels I should also be striker there, what is big deal, I will happy to do that,” he added.

Ravi Pal hails from Sansarpur which has produced many Olympians in the past. Rajinder Singh Jr had reposed faith in him and drafted into the national side in 2005.

He was above 25 when made his international debut and many had doubted his future prospects. He proved his critics wrong and gained the confidence of all the coaches who trained India in the last five years.

Ravi Pal, who has scored only three goals in the 52 international matches he had figured in before coming here, plays for Bharat Petroleum in the domestic circuit.