Jinjiang 2019: FISU University World Cup football draw confirms

ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA

The draw for the Kelme 2019 FISU University World Cup Football took place under the studio lights of the Jinjiang TV Station.

Portuguese football legend Luis Figo starred in a glittering draw ceremony for the event’s inaugural edition, with the 12-day tournament getting under way on November 21, 2019.

Jinjiang Mountain Park Stadium Known as the South Gate of China and the starting point to the Maritime Silk Road, Jinjiang is set to begin living up to its new title as the home of university football. Sixteen men’s and eight women’s teams will play 68 matches from November 21st – December 1st, 2019.

Twenty-three universities from 15 countries earned their places in the field through continental qualifying tournaments. Paulista University from Brazil made it into both men’s and women’s competitions, being the only university to do so.

The event will begin with group play in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing on. The winners of the semifinals will play for the global title, with the women’s winner to be crowned on November 30th while the men’s finals takes place following day.

Between the two draws, Figo gave the packed television studio audience, primarily comprised of students, some advice. “In all areas of life, you have to work hard and give your best, with passion.

“Passion is the most important thing when you decide to do something. Dedicate yourselves to your profession and follow your dreams. In the end, you all want to achieve something so just try to be a little better everyday.”

However, the men open the tournament with Beijing Institute of Technology, China taking on Autonomous University of Mexico State, Mexico. Also, the women’s competition kicks off with Beijing Normal University, China playing Paulista University, Brazil.

Men’s Group A
Taiyuan U Tech, China
University of Wollongong, Australia
University of Wurzburg, Germany
University of Malaga, Spain

Group B
BKK Thonburi University, Thailand
Kotebe Metropolitan, Ethiopia
Beijing Institute of Tech, China
AUT of Mexico State, Mexico.

Group C
Paulista University, Brazil
Myongi University, Korea
Borys G Kyev, Ukraine
Institute University LNG Media, Italy.

Group D
University of Split, Croatia
Smolensk Sport Academy, Russia
Honk Kong Poly U, Hong Kong
University of Rep, Uruguay.

Women’s Tournaments
Group A
Beijing Normal University, China
Paulista University, Brazil
University if Sydney, Australia
University of Montpelier, France

Group B
Col Asian Scholars, Thailand
Siberian Fed University, Russia
Donghua University, China
University of Ottawa, Canada