The University of Wollongong's FISU World Cup bid has ended in heartbreaking circumstances, a 114th minute penalty denying the team the gold medal at the international tournament.
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After defeating Autonomous University of Mexico State 2-0 in Friday night's semi-final, the Luke Wilkshire-coached side took on Uruguay's University of the Republic in the final in Jinjiang, China.
The Uruguayans jumped out to an early lead, a fourth-minute goal handing the side a 1-0 advantage.
UOW hit back just six minutes later through Marcus Beattie. The strike was Beattie's sixth of the tournament and saw him secure the golden boot trophy.
The teams stayed locked at one goal apiece for the remainder of regulation, with extra time required to determine the inaugural World Cup champions.
The decisive moment in the match came in the 112th minute, the referee awarding University of the Republic a penalty after a mid-air collision inside the box.
University of the Republic captain Santiago Pallares Palomeque stepped up to the mark and calmly slotted the match-winning penalty past a diving Luke Kairies.
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