JINJIANG, People’s Republic of China – In quarterfinals that turned the pattern of the KELME 2019 FISU University World Cup - Football upside down, all the table toppers from the group stages were knocked out in the last eight by those that had finished second in their respective groups.
Testament to the depth of field in the men’s tournament, the Autonomous University of Mexico beat Paulista University of Brazil, whom many had considered pre-tournament favourites in a gritty match that was decided on penalties. 1-1 at 90 minutes, the fate of the two South American teams was decided as the Mexicans edged the Brazilians 3-2 in the penalty shoot.
The quarterfinal between the Asian teams also went to a penalty shootout, where undefeated Group B toppers Bangkok Thonburi University of Thailand were knocked out by Myongji University of Korea. Myongji didn’t miss a beat as they fired all 5 penalties in, beating the Thai 5-3 in the shootout.
In one of the marquee matches of the evening, Group A toppers University of Malaga, Spain, who were unbeaten in the round robin stages, were put to the test by University of the Republic, Uruguay. The match was frenetic, action-packed and entertaining from the word go with constant attacks on goals of both sides.
There was one real chance for Malaga to score in the 28th minute, but it ended up being the Uruguayans who got the scoreboard ticking. University of the Republic erupted in celebrations as No.15 Jeronimo Lima Brun scored in the 38th minute. They knew in a match this tight, one goal could be all they needed.
The Spaniards put in their best efforts to bounce back almost immediately and in the 42nd minute there was an unbelievable double save from the Uruguayan goalkeeper Carlos Andres Ferreira Santos as he first blocked a shot on goal from Antonio Gallego and just seconds later, from Carlos Adrian Barrientos.
“I was trying to keep calm for the team,” said Carlos Andres to FISU after the game, with captain Santiago Pallares translating from Spanish to English. “The ball was coming at me fast and high and I had to jump for some of those blocks. I had to keep my mind straight and focus on the ball. I had to do it for the team.”
Woes continued for the University of Malaga in the second half as University of the Republic captain Santiago Pallares Palomeque scored in the 65th minute, with the Spanish goal and defence left wide open. His work done with a 2-0 lead, the captain was soon substituted, perhaps to rest him as much as possible for the semi-final against Myongji University.
Looking ahead to the semi-final, Santiago Pallaressaid “So far, we were only focused on this quarterfinal game but tomorrow we will look at some games of the Koreans. Some of us were in Napoli in July (playing for Uruguay at the Summer Universiade) and the Koreans there were a very tough team too.”
In the other night match, Australians from the University of Wollongong pulled a similar stunner over Group D leaders Smolensk State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism, Russia.
Men’s Semifinals line-up:
University of the Republic (URU) v Myongji University (KOR)
University of Wollongong (AUS) v Autonomous University of Mexico State (MEX)
Results:
(Source: Tina Sharma Tiwari - FISU Press Officer)