November 30, 2019

Wollongong set for FISU World Cup mens final

2-0 victory over Mexico State secures finals berth

The University of Wollongong’s march toward football domination continues, securing a place in the KELME 2019 FISU University World Cup in China after defeating the Autonomous University of Mexico State.

Aggressive play from the UOW team saw several goal attempts in the early minutes of the match until Marcus Beattie scored a surprise goal shortly before half-time.

With Autonomous University battling with a reduced squad after losing player to a red card, Wollongong kept up the pressure, with Marcus Beattie again beating the defence to bring the tally to 2-0.

Despite their setbacks, the Autonomous University of Mexico State fought back with several near misses late in the game, including two attempts that struck the top bar and a third that went wide of the goal.

The fight back proved too late. The game ended at 2-0, with the Australians heading for a finals battle against the University of the Republic, Uruguay while the Mexicans prepare to meet Myongji University of Korea for a bronze medal play-off.

His two goals in this semi-final elevated UOW’s Marcus Beattie to the competition’s top scorer, achieving five goals in the five games played so far.

“We dominated the first half and we would’ve been really disappointed if we weren’t at least a goal up at half time,” Marcus Beattie said to FISU reporters after the game.

“I’m lucky enough to have got that one before half time. And from there on we were confident in the sheds and came back out and finished the job off.”

Although confident, Beattie remained realistic about the challenges ahead for UOW in Sunday’s final.

“All of the lads in the team are capable of scoring goals,” he said when asked if it were on his mind. “And at the end of the day, it is a team game. It’s about the team and we’ve got one more job to do in the final.

“We’ve seen a little bit of the Uruguay team and it’s going to be a very physical game. We know they are very good football players so we will prepare 100% as always and be ready for the job on Sunday.”

The final will be played at 10pm Australian Eastern Daylight saving Time (AEDT) on Sunday 1 December.

For more detailed reporting from the KELME 2019 FISU University World Cup semi-finals and more information about the tournament and other FISU sporting events, visit www.fisu.net

Watch all the action online via FISU TV.

(Source: Commanding semifinal wins for U of Wollongong and U of the Republic, www.fisu.net 29 November 2019.)