Really Tough Challenge…We Had to Work Very Hard to Score and Tough To Break Down.” - Crystal Palace FC coach Rob Quinn praises East Bengal FC Players For Their Discipline

Birmingham, UK, 01 August 2024: The 2024 Next Generation Cup campaign for Indian teams kicked off with some incredible matches that kept fans at the edge of their seats. Despite the difference in football culture between Indian and English sides, Punjab FC, Muthoot FA and East Bengal FC players showcased their footballing prowess and made it tough for their Premier League counterparts.

East Bengal FC faced Crystal Palace today and suffered an close 1-0 loss in regulation time and then again in the penalty shootout (2-4). The teams in the Next Generation Cup will face off in a penalty shootout at the end of the match regardless of the full-time score. The team that wins the game in regulation will receive 3 points for their victory and the winner of the penalty shootout earns a bonus point.
 
Crystal Palace FC won both aspects of the match and earned four points.

Finley Marjoram of Crystal Palace FC scored in the 24th minute and gave his team the lead entering into half-time. However, the East Bengal FC players held their nerves and refused to concede another goal.

 
Despite the loss, the East Bengal FC coach was quite ecstatic with their performance. East Bengal FC coach Bino George praised his players for their immaculate defense.
Crystal Palace coach Rob Quinn spoke about the East Bengal FC players after the game, saying “I can tell they're well coached, they're well disciplined in their roles, which is credit obviously to the staff and the work of the teams, they made it tough for us. There wasn't a lot of space for us to play, trying to play between the lines and we had to be patient and yeah, it was a hard game.”
 
 
Brief Scores
 
Crystal Palace FC 1 (Finley Marjoram 24’) – 0 East Bengal FC
 
Schedule – August 2, 2024
 
Muthoot FA vs Crystal Palace FC – 2:30 PM IST
 
Aston Villa FC vs Stellenbosch FC – 2:30 PM IST
 
Everton FC vs East Bengal FC – 7:30 PM IST
 
Tottenham Hotspur FC vs Punjab FC – 7:30 PM IST
 
 
Where to Watch
 
The matches will be streamed live on the following platforms -: