![\"FIH](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-132979305,imgsize-174101,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/savita.jpg\" "\\"Savita")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWith ten days to go before India\u2019s opening match against China at FIH Women\u2019s Hockey World Cup at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, the Indian women\u2019s team is fine-tuning every aspect of its preparation. For goalkeepers Savita Punia and Bichu Devi Kharibam, that has meant learning from one of the best in the business.Former Dutch international goalkeeper \u2014 and Paris Olympics men\u2019s gold winner \u2014 Pirmin Blaak conducted three specialised goalkeeping sessions with the Indian duo during the team\u2019s recent stint in Germany, where India also played two practice matches. The sessions focused not only on technical aspects but also on the mental side of goalkeeping.According to Savita, the sessions proved invaluable. \u201cIt was a very good experience. In fact, better than I had expected,\u201d the veteran goalkeeper told TOI during an exclusive interview from the Netherlands on Wednesday.\u201cWe spoke a lot about the mindset a goalkeeper should have, worked on defending drag flicks and discussed mental toughness. His sessions were extremely energetic and high intensity,\u201d she said, \u201cFor a goalkeeper, even learning a new small skill can make a huge difference.\u201dWorking with the Dutchman had long been part of the plan. Savita revealed that former goalkeeping coach Simon Zijp had earlier told her that if he was unavailable, Pirmin would be the ideal person to continue working with the Indian goalkeepers.<\/p>\n Bichu Devi Kharibam (left) and Savita Punia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Although the duo trained under Pirmin for only three days, Savita believes the quality of the sessions made a significant difference. \u201cThere had been a gap since we last had this kind of specialised goalkeeping training. It took us some time to adjust in the first session, but the second and third sessions were really good. He will also be with us during the World Cup,\u201d she said.Bichu, too, said the sessions were built on months of remote guidance from Pirmin, who had been sending training plans and goalkeeping drills to the goalkeepers even before joining them in Germany.\u201cHe was unable to come to India, but remained in constant touch,\u201d said the 25-year-old, \u201cHe sent us detailed training plans and goalkeeping exercises, which were implemented by our coaches in Bengaluru. We followed those sessions throughout the camp.\u201dOnce Pirmin joined them in Germany, however, his influence became first-hand. \u201cHe focused on improving our decision-making, explained the best lines to take as a goalkeeper, when to come off the line, how to narrow the angles and how to coordinate better with our defenders,\u201d Bichu added.\u201cA lot of the sessions were about communication between the goalkeeper and the defence \u2014 understanding which areas the goalkeeper covers and which areas the defenders should take responsibility for.\u201dBeyond the technical lessons, Bichu is also relishing the prospect of playing another World Cup alongside Savita, whom she credits with playing a significant role in her development.\u201cSavita always tells me that every goalkeeper concedes goals and the important thing is to forget about it quickly and move on,\u201d said Bichu, \u201cThat advice has helped me focus much better. If you concede a goal and keep thinking about it, you won\u2019t be able to perform in the next moment.\u201dThe admiration is mutual.\u201cI have a lot of confidence in Bichu. She is a very good goalkeeper with a very bright future. One of her biggest qualities is her sincerity. Very few players are as dedicated to improving themselves as she is,\u201d said Savita, who is among six players in the squad set to feature in their third World Cup.Savita, meanwhile, hopes this edition of the World Cup will be India\u2019s best yet. \u201cThis is my third World Cup. I want us to achieve something even better than what we managed in the previous two editions,\u201d she said.Armed with fresh inputs from one of Europe\u2019s finest goalkeepers and buoyed by a partnership built on trust and mutual respect, Savita and Bichu now have just one objective \u2014 to ensure India\u2019s last line of defence is ready when they play their first match in 10 days\u2019 time.<\/div>\n![\"India](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-132979323\/india-goalkeepers.jpg\" "\\"Bichu")
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