Goalkeeping Coach Subrata Dasgupta talks about his role in the Jamshedpur FC Youth Team (TFA) ahead of the first season of the Reliance Foundation Development League, the role of a modern day goalkeeper and more.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Subrata Dasgupta and I am the Goalkeeping Coach for the youth squad of Jamshedpur FC. I am from Mumbai, India.

On the importance of your role as a goalkeeping coach and how different it is from the outfield player’s training

The modern goalkeeping role has fully changed because now the goalkeeper is also meant to be as comfortable with their feet as they are with their hands and are also integrated into the team’s style of playing. The modern goalkeeper is playing a double role on the field now. Along with handling the ball well with their hands, they also need to be comfortable using their feet at the same time. Sometimes in training, the goalkeeper is made to train along with the outfield players to be comfortable playing outside the box as well.

On the development of the 3 players who graduated from TFA and are now in the Championship winning senior team of Jamshedpur FC

Our main focus is always the development of the players and 2 goalkeepers from the grassroots went on to be a part of the senior team which makes everyone here very happy. It’s all a result of their capability and the hard work they’ve put in while we just guide them in their journey.