China and Uzbekistan Interrupt Penalty Shootout With Mass Brawl

China and Uzbekistan briefly interrupted their Asian Games penalty shootout to hold a considerably less organised contest between both sets of players.

The confrontation occurred during the men’s bronze-medal match after the teams had drawn 2-2 in regulation time.

With no extra time being played, the match proceeded directly to penalties.

China goalkeeper Li Hao saved Uzbekistan’s opening attempt before Liu Haofan also failed to score for China. Both teams converted in the second round, after which Li produced another save.

Xiang Yuwang then scored China’s third penalty to establish a 2-1 advantage.

Instead of continuing immediately with the shootout, players from both teams became involved in a confrontation near the halfway line. The disagreement quickly expanded as teammates and staff arrived, producing a large group of people pushing one another during an event intended to test composure.

Officials eventually restored order and persuaded everyone to return to the penalties.

Uzbekistan converted their remaining attempts, but China did the same. Peng Xiao scored the decisive fifth kick to secure a 4-3 shootout victory and the bronze medal.

Penalty shootouts are ordinarily used to determine which team can remain calm under pressure.

China and Uzbekistan briefly explored whether the medal could instead be settled by whichever squad reached the confrontation first.