Subrata has played for India at all age groups. He rose to prominence with the Under-23 team in the Pre-Olympic qualifiers where he pulled off 3 saves in a crucial penalty shootout against Myanmar hence enabling India to qualify for the Group stage.In the group stages his goalkeeping abilities helped India pull off an unexpected draw at home against the formidable Iraq.In 2007 he replaced Sandip Nandy as the Indian Senior Team's number 1 for the Nehru Cup in 2007 where he was adjudged the best goalkeeper in a competitive field which included the likes of Mosab Balhous. Pal was noted for his sharp goalkeeping as part of Baichung Bhutia's successful Indian team of the Nehru Cup 2007. His saves were noted in the semifinals against Kyrgyzstan, which enabled India to reach the finals of this tournament for the first time. In the final, India faced Syria, against whom they had lost an earlier group stage match. In this match, he together with Mahesh Gawli of Goa and other defenders, staved off wave after wave of attack by the pre-match favourites, Syria. India defeated Syria by a 1-0 margin to win the tournament for the first time. Indian team coach Bob Houghton said that "Subrata Pal was splendid in the goal", while The Hindu wrote:India owed the triumph immensely to an impeccable performance under the bar by Subrata Paul. His anticipation in cutting off Syria’s aerial forays was the most striking feature of the contest.(The Hindu, dated 2007-08-30.)
Man-of-the-Match Subrata Paul, who had an outstanding tournament, blocked shots from Wael Ayan, Ahmad Haj Muhmad and Hamzeh Alattouni,in an amazing display of reflexes and anticipation. Paul fisted out the decisive attempt by Alattouni to spark a riotous invasion by a frenzy crowd.
It was a re-match of the 2007 final at the same venue, and both the teams played out exciting football in 90 minutes where they came close to score on numerous occasions.
India appeared to have broken the the deadlock when Renedy Singh scored through a free-kick in the 24th minute of extra time, but Ali Dyab came up with a stupendous header to sink Indian hopes of a clear-cut victory.
In the tie-breaker, Climax Lawrence, Sunil Chettri, Steven Dias, Anwar and Surkumar Singh were on target for India while Raja Rafe, goalkeeper Mosab Balhous, Abdul Fatah Alaga and Abdal Razzak Al Hossian scored for Syria.
India coach Bob Houghton attributed the win to the team spirit and added that they deserved the achievement of having won three trophies in as many years... “This is a matured group and are playing together for the last three years now. They play for each other and give everything for the team. Even after conceding the late equaliser and when Renedy and Mehraj missed the penalties, the team came back,” said Houghton. The Englishman once again turned his attentions to Subrata Paul whom he often labels as “the best goalkeeper in India.” “It’s a pity that we didn’t win after Renedy scored. It was a very nice free-kick. He was quite gutted for having missed the penalty. Subrata saved our day. He has had an outstanding tournament and was brilliant again for us,” said Houghton. Commenting on the report which claimed that India were the worst side, the 61 year old wasn’t much flustered and believed that it’s the same case with his players as well. “I do go through the paper but it doesn’t change anything with me or the players.” While another report had quotes attributed to the Syrian coach claiming that he needs only seven of his men to beat India in the finals. “I doubt whether the Syrian coach said that. I think he is a reasonable man. And you don’t say such things before the finals because it makes your team complacent and pump up the opposition. You don’t achieve anything by winning too as you
“We were not very consistent in this tournament but we won when it mattered the most. The team has been doing well for the last two-to-three years. Previously, there have been too many changes in the national set-up and hence no continuity.
“If you see the best teams around the world, they have a fixed set of players. It’s not that those who do well domestically wouldn’t get a chance as in the last camp, we did see a lot of new faces,” said the Sikkimese Sniper.
Bhaichung was all praise for Subrata Paul but added that India need to improve on its defending from set-pieces as they have conceded far too often for anyone’s liking.
“Subrata was outstanding. The best is yet to come from him.”
When asked as how important this win over Syria was, he answered saying,”Every tournament is important. When you win one, you look to the next one. So, we’ll cherish this win and try to win the next.”
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