In a historic moment for Indian football, Punjab FC’s academy side achieved a significant milestone in the Premier League Next Gen Cup 2024 by defeating Aston Villa 2-0. This win marked Punjab’s third-place finish in the tournament, surpassing the under-18 teams from Everton and Crystal Palace with two victories and six goals.
Under the guidance of coach Sankarlal Chakraborty, Punjab FC continued its impressive run after making headlines by becoming the first Indian team to defeat a Premier League youth side abroad. Manglenthang Kipgen scored a penalty in the 14th minute, setting a record as the highest Indian goalscorer in the tournament with goals in three of four matches. Omang Dodum added to the tally with a goal in the 36th minute.
Chakraborty expressed his satisfaction, noting the improvement in performance and the positive impact of exposure trips on the team’s development.
East Bengal and Muthoot FA Face Heavy Losses
The final matchday saw East Bengal and Muthoot Football Academy enduring significant defeats. East Bengal was overwhelmed by Crystal Palace, losing 7-1. Crystal Palace’s goals came from Freddie Cowin, Sean Somade, Matteo Dashi, and Caleb Redhead, further exposing East Bengal’s vulnerabilities, particularly in set-piece situations. East Bengal finished at the bottom of the table with three losses and just one goal scored.
Muthoot FA also faced a tough challenge, suffering a 6-1 defeat to Everton. Despite an initial attempt to rally after conceding, Muthoot’s efforts were ultimately in vain as Everton’s George Morgan, Joel Catesby, Aled Thomas, and Callum Bates secured the win. Muthoot ended the tournament with a single goal against them.
Overall, the Premier League Next Gen Cup 2024 showcased a mix of triumphs and challenges for the participating teams, with Punjab FC’s performance standing out as a highlight of the tournament.
