Leicester Successfully Host 2022 Next Gen Cup
The third iteration of the tournament, and first to be based in the UK, was held at the Club’s world-class headquarters, LCFC Training Ground.
Midlands Group A saw the Foxes’ youngsters kick things off on Wednesday against Bengaluru FC U21s, finalists of the Hero Indian Super League Reliance Foundation Development League.
A goal-laden encounter eventually ended 6-3 to the hosts as the emerging talent coming through the Club’s renowned Academy showed their future potential during a high-scoring spectacle.
That saw Leicester progress to Saturday afternoon’s final, where they faced the winners of the South African Reserve League Stellenbosch FC – the first-ever South African team to take part - who beat Nottingham Forest’s Academy to reach the showpiece in Seagrave.
Stellenbosch came out on top, winning 7-2 to be crowned champions of the Midlands pool. Earlier in the day, Forest took on Bengaluru in the third-fourth play-off and the Midlands side defeated their Indian counterparts 6-1.
Supporting the development of football in India, the global competition also includes a London Group B Cup, held at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground, containing three Premier League youth teams and Hero Indian Super League Reserve side, Kerala Blasters.
Tottenham Hotspur defeated Kerala 7-0 to reach the final from Group B, while the Indian outfit faced Crystal Palace in the third-place match after the Eagles were defeated 4-3 by West Ham United.
The Hammers' comprehensive 8-0 win over hosts Tottenham saw them lift the trophy in the capital, while Palace triumphed 4-1 against Kerala.
Back in Leicester, on Friday, the international teams from India and South Africa were given an access-all-areas tour of the Club’s base in Seagrave during their visit, following on from training earlier in the afternoon. Stellenbosch trained out on one of the 4G pitches, while Bengaluru took part in a session in the indoor dome.
Leicester’s Academy players and staff, meanwhile, also attended several local community visits during the week, including LCFC Holiday Club in Sileby and Leicester City Council free school meals holiday club, as well as local grassroots teams Nirvana FC, GNG FC and Highfield Rangers FC.
The Foxes players taught the 8-12-year-olds some ball skills, before coaching small-sided games.
An interactive Q&A session facilitated by LCFC staff then allowed youngsters at the venues to pose questions to members of City’s Academy squad, highlighting the importance of integration and engagement with the local community, as well as inspiring the next generation of young talent, both in Leicester and around the globe.