(Football news) To secure a meeting with Premier League clubs in the Next Generation Cup, Sudeva Delhi FC finished first in the National Group stage.
Sudeva has grown steadily in recent years after beginning as a residential football academy roughly eight years ago. In their inaugural I-League season in 2020–21, they fielded an all–Indian XI, and they have demonstrated how taking baby steps may help a team move in the direction of its long-term goals.
The boys’ tactical coach, Chencho Dorji, has been pleased with their performance thus far. The squad won four of their five games in the National Group Stage prior to the semi-finals, and Dorji noted that a good balance of youth and experience helped them defeat any opponent they came up against recently.
“I think we just keep focusing on the right thing. Most importantly, we have been working with our young players these last few years. We have been giving opportunities to these young players and at the same time,” Dorji reflected upon the team balance helping them achieve their objectives this season.
The Next Generation Cup, which will start the following week in Mumbai, will have Sudeva as a participant. They will face opposition from four of their RFDL rivals, as well as Premier League (PL) teams including Everton, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, and Stellenbosch FC of the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL).
“My advice to my players is that you just have to play the game. Of course, we keep winning our first priority but sometimes we have to think beyond winning also, you know. Of course, we are going to play with honesty, hard-work. That is the most important thing for the boys there,” Dorji said.
“Obviously, Reliance gave a platform to our boys. It’s a good platform with all the resources and talented boys coming to that level. Our boys are very excited to perform here. They have been already saying that we have to get into this stage. RFDL is something that everyone looks up to. I have also been telling them that they need to be in that position where they can prove that they are good players because, last four-five years we have been working hard,” he signed off.
Also read: RDFL Semi-final 2: Sudeva Delhi FC beat Reliance Foundation Young Champs
