bulldogmariner
Well-Known Member
Australia's Young Matildas were pelted with bottles by a hostile crowd in China after an all-in brawl following the home nation's 2-1 win in the Asian Women's U-19 Championship.
Australia pressed for victory late in the Group B encounter but were denied by China in a controversialend to the spiteful contest.
Australia were denied a penalty when Kyah Simon was brought down two yards inside the area and a free-kick outside was awarded.
To compound their frustration, centre-back Jessica Seaman was sent off on the stroke of full-time.
At the final whistle an Australia player fell to the ground while remonstrating with China players. Young Matildas captain Tameka Butt charged onto the pitch to confront the opposition and a mass brawl followed.
Players and support staff charged from their respective benches and punches were thrown, according to reports.
Several plastic water bottles were thrown from the crowd in the direction of the Australia team - whose ages range from 15 to 19 - as they left the field.
Nobody was injured in the wild scenes.
Australia coach Alen Stajcic was furious.
"We've prepared for 12 months, to have an embarrassing sporting event take place like that in China. That's not sport," he told reporters.
"Sport is 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.
"I'd be embarrassed if I were the host of this event after that game. You all saw what happened out there, it's embarrassing.
Australia pressed for victory late in the Group B encounter but were denied by China in a controversialend to the spiteful contest.
Australia were denied a penalty when Kyah Simon was brought down two yards inside the area and a free-kick outside was awarded.
To compound their frustration, centre-back Jessica Seaman was sent off on the stroke of full-time.
At the final whistle an Australia player fell to the ground while remonstrating with China players. Young Matildas captain Tameka Butt charged onto the pitch to confront the opposition and a mass brawl followed.
Players and support staff charged from their respective benches and punches were thrown, according to reports.
Several plastic water bottles were thrown from the crowd in the direction of the Australia team - whose ages range from 15 to 19 - as they left the field.
Nobody was injured in the wild scenes.
Australia coach Alen Stajcic was furious.
"We've prepared for 12 months, to have an embarrassing sporting event take place like that in China. That's not sport," he told reporters.
"Sport is 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.
"I'd be embarrassed if I were the host of this event after that game. You all saw what happened out there, it's embarrassing.
