The Next Generation Cup: Punjab FC, East Bengal FC and Muthoot FA Set to Step Up – News18

The bright and sunny weather at Tamworth, UK for the last couple of days has made way for the persistent drizzle shrouding everything in misty haze and that gives the back drop for the fifth edition of the for the Next Generation Cup set to kick off at the Aston Villa FC Training Ground in Bodymoor Heath, Tamworth from August 1.

Eight youth teams from India, South Africa, and England will fight for the title across four days with the Indian interest being Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) winners Punjab FC, finalists East Bengal FC and the third-placed team Muthoot FA.

Led by the veteran coach Shankarlal Chakravarthy, Punjab FC is determined to give their best and Shankarlal has emphasised that a lot is riding on the players. “We have made it clear to our players that we are not going to the UK for vacation. They are representing not only Punjab FC but also India. So, we have some prestige,” he told News18 Sports ahead of the start of the tournament.

For East Bengal FC, coach Bino George – also the assistant coach of the senior team – believes this is a unoique opportunity for his team and the players create history. “Even though these teams are strong, the opportunity to play against them is invaluable. Our team is fully fit, as we have been playing CFL matches. I’ve told the players that this is a unique opportunity to make their mark in the East Bengal history books. I’m pushing them to give their best, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Muthoot FA are the underdogs among the three teams and their RFDL journey was one for the books and for coach Anees it’s all about giving his players the much needed experience. “I’m very positive that whatever challenges we face, the boys who have travelled here will gain valuable experience. They are not lacking in technique or talent; they are very good. The only thing they lack is a bit of experience, but they will definitely gain that by playing against these tough teams from the Premier League. So, definitely, I am planning, and the team is planning, to compete against them,” said Anees.

All three Indian teams participated in friendlies to adapt to the local conditions. East Bengal defeated Luton Town 3-0, while Punjab FC secured a 4-1 victory over Tonbridge Angels. In contrast, Muthoot FA fell 1-2 to Kinetic Academy and will aim to improve their performance as the tournament kicks off on Thursday.

Premier League teams Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Everton surely will psoe a great challenge, but it would probably be the lone South African outfit – DStv Diski Challenge Champions – Stellenbosch FC – who may be the toughest of the lot.

Stellenbosch FC were the inaugural winners of the tournament and had finished runners-up last edition and they will be aiming to go one better this time around. “I think we’re definitely feeling so blessed for this opportunity, you know, coming out again to England, having had the opportunity to be in Mumbai last year and obviously at Leicester two years ago. So, yeah, we in dreamland, we’re so happy. Great opportunity for us and for our club, you know. So, yeah, we’re coming out here, gonna try and do our best and try to live up to the legacy I think we’ve created over the last two seasons, having had some really good outings,” Stellenbosch FC reserve team coach Evangelos Vellios told the media during his teams’s only training session ahead of the tournament opener.