November 28, 2019

Team UOW through to semi-finals of international soccer tournament

UOW to play Mexico after 2-0 win over Russia

The University of Wollongong is continuing to position itself as an international footballing powerhouse, defeating a Russian university team to progress through to the semi-finals of the FISU University World Cup in China.

Russia’s Smolensk State Academy of Physical Culture, Sport and Tourism was tipped to defeat UOW in the quarter finals, after placing first in qualifying rounds, but the underdogs pulled off a 2-0 victory on Wednesday night.

UOW suffered its first loss of the year in the pool rounds against Spain, and recovered with two wins, defeating China and Germany, to progress to the quarter finals.

The Wollongong squad will confront Mexico in the semi-finals on Friday at 8pm, or 11pm AEDT.

In their quarter final, the Mexican side, Autonomous University of Mexico State, beat pre-tournament favourites Brazil in a gritty match that finished with a 1-1 draw, and was decided on penalties.

Uruguay will play South Korea in the other semi-final.

The grand final will take place on Sunday, 1 December at 7pm, or 10pm AEDT.

UOW is representing Oceania in the FISU University World Cup, following a successful campaign at the UniSports Nationals in 2018.

The Wollongong squad has been led by star coach and former Socceroos player Luke Wilkshire.

The team underwent a rigorous, 10-week training regime in the lead up to the international tournament.

Meanwhile, UOW is set to be a hotbed of football talent, with the first intake of the UOW Tottenham Hotspur Global Football Program starting in February 2020.