[WATCH] Kipgen scores beautiful goal against Aston Villa for Punjab FC in Next Generation Cup 2024

Kipgen is back to scoring for his side, this time in the Next Generation Cup 2024.

India’s standout performer in the U-19 SAFF Championship finals, Manglengthang Kipgen, is now proving his worth against European opponents. The forward had scored two goals and assisted one in the U-19 SAFF Championship finals in 2023 against Pakistan in a 3-0 victory.

Having gained the most valuable player of the match in the same game, Kipgen is now plying his trade for Punjab FC. The prodigiously talented attacker made his mark in the club’s Next Generation Cup 2024 game against Aston Villa on Thursday in an equally spectacular fashion.

The Shers were down by two goals and Kipgen capitalized on the goalkeeper’s error to calmly collect the ball, feint the onrushing centre-back, and dink the ball home to reduce the arrears. Scoring a goal of such technical finesse at such a big stage speaks volumes about the youngsters’ ambition and potential. 

Kipgen wasn’t among the kicktakers in the penalty shootout afterward as Aston Villa beat them with a 5-3 scoreline in the same. The Shers will go up against giants Tottenham Hotspurs on Friday and Kipgen will want to repeat his heroics despite slim odds.

Regardless of the results of this competition, Punjab FC should capitalize on his experience playing against the youth setups of top European teams. His performance should give Panagiotis Dilberis a cue to start him in the Indian Super League sporadically.

The newly appointed manager will have the likes of the ultra-reliable Luka Majcen, alongside Princeton Rebello and Nihaal Sudeesh. But given the steep number of young players he has in the squad, Kipgen should be fielded now and then.

Dilberis, must, however, keep in mind not to overplay him to avoid any unwarranted injuries or lack of fitness. All in all, Manglengthang Kipgen’s gradual but eye-catching entry spells a hopefully golden reign of footballers yet to play for the country.  

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