Muthoot FA made heads turn in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2024 by finishing third in the elite youth development competition, earning them a direct qualification to the upcoming season of the Next Generation Cup. The latter will see participation from eight teams in the current campaign, including Muthoot FA, RFDL winners Punjab FC, runners-up East Bengal FC, South African side Stellenbosch FC, along with Aston Villa FC, Crystal Palace FC, Everton FC, and Tottenham Hotspur FC, who will be representing the Premier League.
It’s a massive opportunity for Muthoot FA, who are based out of Kochi and produced a magical run in the recently concluded RFDL season. They showed great promise by defeating two-time defending champions Bengaluru FC in the third-place playoff, and are all set to carry that confidence into the United Kingdom (UK). Head coach Anees Koraliyadan has said that this is the first time that a lot of their players will be playing internationally and that this exposure will be pivotal in turning around their respective careers.
“We are taking feedback from Kerala Blasters FC”
“This will be the first time that all of my players will be competing against international opponents. We are preparing for our own game plans and strategies and are also taking inputs from teams like Kerala Blasters FC that have played the Next Generation Cup previously. We are taking feedback from them about how the opponents are like and their level of playing in the concerned age category,” Anees said.
He added, “The league is concerned regarding the development of our players. It’s a great opportunity for youngsters to play against their foreign counterparts and it will be of great help to them. It will be difficult to match the quality of teams in the Premier League. But the boys from Muthoot FA, East Bengal FC, and Punjab FC are hungry and ready to take this opportunity with both hands.”
Phase of transition for Muthoot FA
However, the dynamics of the footballing landscape are such that Muthoot FA are navigating an interesting situation at the moment. It has been often reiterated that the RFDL has become a hotbed of scouting platforms in India, and hence a reasonable lot of their players were spotted and secured by the Indian Super League (ISL) teams ever since the current transfer window began in June. Ensuring that the continuity that the team plays with doesn’t take a hit under such circumstances is essential for the Muthoot FA think-tank. They are banking on the resourceful talent coming through their well-oiled academy for the same, a thought that was echoed by both coach Anees as well as player Arjun Raj.
“Since the transfer window began, seven of our players have moved into the ISL clubs. So we had a lot of players getting transferred to other clubs. It’s a setback for us and a bit difficult for us to have the same quality of players to compete at the higher levels. However, it’s an opportunity for players to take over the vacant spots and raise their standards to the next level. The message from my side to the players is to grab the chance and fill the void present in the team,” Anees said.
“Seven important players have left our team but there are equally good players both from our academies and new joiners who can compensate for the good players who have left. I don’t think our performance will take a hit because of this episode because the new players are of the same level as the ones who have left. So, it’s not a problem for us,” Arjun added.
All eyes on Arjun Raj: Here’s why
Arjun is the link between the midfield and the frontline for Muthoot FA. His fleet footedness, decision-making and composure in the final third will be critical for them to convert the chances that they create during important junctures of the game. He is also the leader of the group, and with the mini-transition that the team is undergoing, additional responsibility will rest on his shoulders to march his troops with aplomb in the coming edition of the Next Generation Cup. It is safe to say that he is absolutely looking forward to this occasion.
“I have worked very hard for the Next Generation Cup right from the beginning. I have learnt so much from the RFDL because of the extensive game time that we received and the way we played competitive matches against so many top teams like FC Goa, amongst others. It helped us develop overall and the coach, teammates, along with the support staff is happy with our performances. The coach gave us a lot of confidence and hence I am thankful to the team who supported me to deliver good individual performances,” Arjun reflected upon his performances lately.
He even touched upon the specific facets of gameplay that his team will need to work upon to come into terms with the level of competition that they will face in the tournament.
Scheduled between August 1-4, the Next Generation Cup will be hosted by the Premier League this year. The tournament provides India’s talented young footballers with an opportunity to compete with teams from Premier League and the South African youth teams. Matches will be held across four rounds at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Training Ground and the final of Next Generation Cup 2024 will be held at Loughborough University Stadium.
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