This match was controlled by the Crystal Palace FC frontline coordinating seamlessly to unlock the Muthoot FA defence and finding the goal on three different occasions.

 

However, Muthoot FA salvaged the situation by winning the mandatory penalty shootout after the match, with a 5-4 margin. A full game in the  Next Generation Cup 2024 consists of a 50 minutes match time, split by half’s of 25 minutes and a mandatory penalty shoot out that follows irrespective of the outcome of the game in the regulation time. The winner of the shootout bags a bonus point and Muthoot FA thus opened their account in the tournament by delivering a flawless performance in the spot kicks. They have thus become the first Indian club to register points in the competition.

For Crystal Palace FC, Enrique Lameiras opened the floodgates with a timely goal 14 minutes into the game. The effort was more of a making by his teammate Caleb Redhead, who pounced upon the gaps right through the middle of the Muthoot FA backline. Lameiras was at the right place to jump upon the rebound off Muthoot FA goalkeeper Anas and converted it with ease.

 

Crystal Palace FC continued to be on the offence. They optimised thr short passage of play, with David Montien making the perfect run from the left flank to receive and convert a cross that was sliced into the Muthoot FA box. Montien didn’t have to break a sweat, putting his foot out and tapping the ball in to double their lead in the 16th minute.

 

Muthoot FA made a few attempts to cut the deficit, but Crystal Palace FC were well organised at the back and dynamic upfront. They didn’t let their guard down even when the match neared its end. They often outnumbered the Muthoot FA players in their own box, and Lameiras capitalised on one such opportunity in the 47th minute, when a loose delivery on the right side of the 18-yard box came to him and he drilled the ball into the back of the net to cap off a convincing outing for his team.

 

“First of all, I think the team needs to be more competitive by reducing our errors. We conceded three silly goals. The team is disappointed at conceding goals due to individual errors. We defended well as a team, but not so much from an individual standpoint. We were a little bit more concentrated in the penalty shootouts, which is important in this competition. We focus on that aspect as well, which is important as the tournament progresses. Everything is related to trial and error. We are aware of our tactical discipline and will be better prepared against such opponents,” Muthoot FA coach Anees Koraliyadan said after the game.

 

 

Crystal Palace FC 3 (Enrique Lameiras 14’ 47’, David Montien 16’) – 0 Muthoot FA

 

 

Muthoot FA 5-4 Crystal Palace FC

 

 

1: Tottenham Hotspur FC vs Muthoot FA – 07:30 PM IST

2: Crystal Palace FC vs Stellenbosch FC – 07:30 PM IST

3: Aston Villa FC vs East Bengal FC – 10:30 PM IST

4: Everton FC vs Punjab FC – 10:30 PM IST

 

 

The matches will be streamed live on the following platforms -:

 

 

 

Reliance Foundation Youth Sports: https://youtube.com/@RelianceFoundationYouthSports

 

 

 

Premier League: https://youtube.com/@premierleague