JINJIANG, People's Republic of China -- The men's quarterfinals at the inaugural KELME 2019 FISU University World Cup - Football have been set. Group A toppers University of Malaga (ESP) will take on University of the Republic (URU), Smolensk State Academy (RUS) will be up against University of Wollongong (AUS) who sneaked through to the last eight in a do-or-die last group match, unbeaten Bangkok Thonburi University (THA) will play against Asian rivals Myongji University (KOR) and Paulista University (BRA) will take on the Autonomous University of Mexico State (MEX) on November 27.
The last day of men's group stages was an exciting one, with many teams coming through close games to make it to the quarterfinals. All results below.
Myongji march into last eight
It was a match between two goalkeepers on a cold, blustery day at the Quanzhou Strait Sports Centre Stadium. The situation in Group C was tense as Myongji University from Korea took on BorysGrinchenko Kyiv University of Ukraine; both needed a win to qualify for the quarterfinals.
The Koreans came out fullycharged, with two attacks on goal in the first two minutes. A few initial scraps and a couple of fouls in the first five minutes set the tone for what would be a very intense game throughout.
Right from the outset, the Myongji unit looked the better coordinated of the two teams. There was a slew of serious attacks on goal from Myongji for the first twenty-five minutes and an equal number of brilliant saves from the Ukrainian goalkeeper Vadym Soldatenko.
In the 25th minute, Kyiv captain Yevhenii Mykolaiuk launched a solitary attack on goal, but missing any support whatsoever from the rest of his team, was not able to convert. Just a few seconds later, there was a fine save from Korean goalie Taein Kim.
It went on like that for much of the first half, with a very vocal and animated Ukrainian group supporting their team from the stands and a very quiet group of Koreans that politely applauded the Myongji goalkeeper’s efforts.
What should have been a goal for Myongji in the first minute of added time after the first 45, wasn’t converted only because Soldatenko was having a very good day. That concluded a goalless first half.
Finally, in the 52nd minute, all the relentless attempts paid off for the Koreans when No. 8 Yongtaek Oh found the back of the net. It was to be good enough for the win.
In the second half, there was constant action, almost an own goal from Myongji, three yellow cards and a few more scraps, but unfortunately for the Ukrainians, no goal in their favour until the final whistle blew. 1-0 was the final score, enough to send Myongji University into the quarterfinals, along with Paulista University (BRA) from their group.
Asia’s continental champs stay undefeated heading into knockout play
MarutBudrak’s goal just after the halftime break opened the game for Bangkok Thonburi University. With the offensive-minded halfback’s crafty ball-control play and steadying presence of his Thai teammates, Autonomous University of Mexico State’s rally mounted as too little, too late as the reigning Asian continental champs won 2-0 on a gusty day in Jinjiang Economic Development Zone Stadium.
With the win, Bangkok Thonburi University head into Wednesday’s quarterfinals of the KELME 2019 FISU University World Cup – Football tournament as one of two undefeated teams among the top four seeds.
“We didn’t know too much about our opponents from Mexico today, but we were able to turn this naivety to our advantage in the second half,” Budrak said after the game. “We pretty happy with how we were able to turn it on and find our scoring opportunities after halftime.”
Relying on a defensive-minded 5-4-1 formation and heady play from the back five led by vocal team captain Wilson GraniolatiAbaid, the team from Toluca, Mexico looked for counter-attack opportunities. Few were available. Less materialized, and none of those that progressed did much to test goalkeeper ChaloempatPloywanrattana.
University football aficionados may remember the Ploywanrattana as the goalie helping his team win last season’s Asian Cup here in Jinjiang with a header on the last play of the double extra-time championship game.
The lone North American-based men’s team in the tournament had their best scoring opportunity in the 26th minute when Cesar Octavio Saenz Velazquez stole the ball in an open backfield from SuttipatSanklong. The Thai defender was able to put immediate pressure on the No.10-wearing Velazquez who put on a hard shot that was nearly on target but just carried a little too high.
Budrak’s crafty hesitation moves and one-touch passes were rewarded in the 49th minute when a teammate put a well-placed through ball beyond Mexico’s defensive back. With an injection of speed, Badrak collected and then chipped the ball over the advancing Mexican goalkeeper Ramiro Villagomez Victoria’s head for an opposite corner goal.
From there, both teams resorted to playing more compact games that emphasized a strong defensive front but limited the advantage of using the whole field and opening up scoring chances.
That changed with a furious last ten minutes, which saw Autonomous University of Mexico State awarded a direct free-kick just outside the penalty box. The Mexico State’s captain Abaid’s shot, though, sailed high off-target.
In the 89th minute, a three-play one-touchflourishled to a short left cross fromNontawatKlinjumpasrithat substitute SupornPeenagataphoscoredwith a left-footer to give Bangkok Thonburi University a 2-0 advantageheadinginto extra time.
Sitting directly within the sneaker-manufacturing hub of the Chinese shoe capital city, the playing pitch was partially protected by buildings. Still, the winds looked to play a factor in holding back the Bangkok-based team’s attack in the early going Not that the game’s standout player or his coach was willing to acknowledge.
After the final whistle, the players congratulated one another with a professional focus. Probably for good reason: it was chilly out there, and there’s still plenty of championship football to come.
Results (November 25):
(Source: Tina Sharma Tiwari - FISU Press Officer)