The Indian Super League (ISL) has a good relationship with the Premier League which has resulted in the Next Generation Cup tournament involving the youth/developmental teams of the clubs.
The Next Generation Cup tournament was held for the first time in Navi Mumbai two years ago. The youth sides of Premier League clubs played against the ISL clubs’ youth sides. Chelsea’s U-14 side won the inaugural Next Generation Cup in 2020.
This year, ISL held the Developmental League involving the youth sides of the seven ISL clubs and the Reliance Foundation youth side. Bengaluru FC defeated Kerala Blasters in the final as both teams booked their place in the Next Generation Cup 2022. This year the tournament will start on 27th July 2022 in the United Kingdom.
Teams
There are eight teams in the Next Generation Cup 2022. The 5 Premier League youth teams are West Ham United, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur. Along with them, South Africa’s academy side Stellenbosch FC and ISL clubs Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC make it an 8-team tournament.
Midlands Group (A)
- Bengaluru FC
- Leicester City
- Nottingham Forest
- Stellenbosch FC
London Group (B)
- Crystal Palace
- Kerala Blasters FC
- Tottenham Hotspur
- West Ham United
Squads
Bengaluru FC
Goalkeepers: Dipesh Chauhan, Sharon Padattil.
Defenders: Felixson Fernandes, Clarence Fernandes, Robin Yadav, Namgyal Bhutia, Rajanbir Singh, Tomthinganba Meetei.
Midfielders: Kamalesh Palanisamy, Bekey Oram, Shighil Nambrath, Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Lalhmingchuanga Fanai, Lalremtuanga Fanai.
Strikers: Lalpekhlua, Monirul Molla, Ankith Padmanabhan, Thoi Singh, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Akashdeep Singh.
Kerala Blasters
Goalkeepers: Sachin Suresh, Muhammed Murshid, Muheet Shabir Khan.
Defenders: Muhammed Basith, Hormipam Ruivah, Bijoy V, Tejas Krishna, Marvan Hussain, Sherin Salari, Aritra Das.
Midfielders: Muhammed Jasim, Jeakson Singh, Ayush Adhikari, Givson Singh, Mohammed Azhar.
Forwards: Muhammed Ajsal, Mohammed Aimen, Nihal Sudheesh.
Format
The Next Generation Cup 2022 comprises 8 teams, 5 from England, 2 from India and 1 from South Africa. The 8 teams have been divided into 2 groups of 4 teams each.
Each team will play only one group stage match. There will be a total of 2 group stage matches from each group. The winner of the two matches will play the group final and the loser of the group stage matches will play for the 3rd place.
Fixtures
27th July 2022
Midlands Group A
Leicester City vs Bengaluru FC, 9:30 PM IST
Nottingham Forest vs Stellenbosch FC, 10:20 PM IST
London Group B
Tottenham Hotspur vs Kerala Blasters, 3:30 PM IST
Crystal Palace vs West Ham United, 5:30 PM IST
30th July 2022
Midlands Group A
3rd Place: Match 1 loser vs Match 2 loser, 2:30 PM IST
Final: Match 1 winner vs Match 2 winner, 5:30 PM IST
London Group B
3rd Place: Match 1 loser vs Match 2 loser, 3:00 PM IST
Final: Match 1 winner vs Match 2 winner, 6:00 PM IST
Venues
- Group A matches will be played at the Leicester City ground.
- Group B matches will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur ground.
Live Streaming in India
The Indian Super League YouTube channel and its Facebook page will live stream all the Next Generation Cup 2022 matches involving the ISL youth teams. The Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters’ YouTube channels as well as their Facebook pages will also be live streaming their respective teams’ matches.
