An ill-tempered women's under-19 match between China and Australia ended with a mass brawl and accusations of cheating on Monday. China won the Asian U-19s championship match 2-1, holding on for victory despite a late appeal for a penalty from the Aussies, who were aghast to see the referee award a free kick outside the box.
Australia's Jessica Seaman was dismissed on full time and a bench-clearing brawl ensued, with the crowd joining in by pelting the visitors with water bottles as they left the pitch.
China coach Gao Rongming blamed his team's inexperience but Australia's Alen Stajcic said the match was an embarrassment for the hosts. "We've prepared for 12 months to have an embarrassing sporting event take place like that in China," he told said.
"That's not sport. Sport's played by two equal teams battling for sporting supremacy, not that kind of behaviour.
"On the field, off the field, it's not good enough. It's not good enough, I'd be embarrassed if I were the host of this event after that game. It's not good enough."