Oman vs India: Gurpreet, Subrata or Karanjit? Blues' goalkeeping coach runs the rule over shot-stoppers

India’s goalkeeping coach Rogerio Ramos is tough, intelligent, experienced and most importantly, relentless when it comes to training his players.

Firstpost went to the 15-day camp in Pune ahead of India’s World Cup qualifiers against Iran, Turkmenistan and Oman — and while the outfielders went through their regular passing, shooting and match drills, Ramos was on the sidelines with Indian goalkeepers Karanjit Singh and Subrata Paul. Gurpreet Singh, who has featured in India’s last two matches, was still in Norway and yet to join the team.

Ramos has played in India for five years (for Goan clubs Fransa-Pax and Vasco) and knows the goalkeeping scene in India, which visibly looks more promising than the attacking front — with Gurpreet on a permanent deal with Norwegian team Stabæk, and Subrata having experienced a stint in Denmark.

Now that all three goalkeepers have played at least once for India — and seem to be head coach Stephen Constantine’s preferred three, it is the perfect time to understand what they bring to the team, from a coach who will shape their national careers from now on.

“I divide all my keepers into basically three areas: Fitness, technical and mental. We divided these three into more sub-parts. So for fitness we have strength and speed; in terms of technical skills, there is coordination, the ability to move on the pitch; and in the mental areas, it’s mainly confidence and what makes you a better player. And a goalkeeper needs to learn all this through mistakes on the pitch as well,” Ramos said.

In an exclusive chat, the Brazilian gave us a Swot analysis of all three goalkeepers:

Subrata Paul (62 caps): Subrata is very dedicated and passionate about his work. If I tell him to eat the grass to improve, he will do that. He is that dedicated and has the best mental strength among all the three. He can make and correct a mistake without the mistake putting him down, and is also improving coordination and balance with core exercises over the past few years.

When he comes to the field, he is the one I can trust. He will try whatever I ask him. His gripping is not bad, diving is okay but he can improve in speed and coordination of movement — which is the mechanics of the body. He is already one of the best in the country and has had training from many coaches. If you ask me his weaknesses, then his timing is not the best. Sometimes he comes out for crosses and misses the ball and we are correcting that.

Karanjit Singh (17 caps): I haven’t worked with him before but have seen him play and train. He needs to improve his coordination and on aspects that will make him quicker and approach the ball in a right way. Also, how to give himself security when going for the ball. I am going to find out his mental strength also.

I expect my keepers to deliver something back to me and see how far they can go. It is important to challenge them and see their reactions. I want them to react like that on the pitch. Sometimes I am there to be against them and I can’t keep it easy because it’s not easy in games. I can push him to do a mistake and create match situations.

Gurpreet Singh (two caps): He has a good physical side — very good — tall and strong, but we should improve his speed and how to move quickly from one side to the other. He also needs to work on his kicking and gripping.

But he is cool, calm and intelligent and can play in a very good role because his decision making is good. He needs to better his pace. He is working in Norway and we expect him to show us something. He is improving and has time. We cannot hurry and push him too fast for fear of exposing him too soon. (Since this interview, Gurpreet has played twice for India). I guide him on what he should be doing and advise him to speak with his coach and do all that in Norway, which is basically speed work. This is something we can accomplish.

This interview was conducted on 24 August, 2015. The writer tweets @TheFalseNo9