"A bloodbath that even saw a chokehold" China-Uzbekistan penalty shootout showdown → China takes 3rd place, wins 'football medal' for first time in 28 years [Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Chinese men's football team secured an Asian Games medal for the first time in 28 years after a fierce battle against Uzbekistan.

In the bronze medal match of the men's football tournament at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on the 3rd at Toyota Stadium in Japan, the Chinese men's football national team drew 2-2 with Uzbekistan in regular time and won 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

With this, China has earned an Asian Games men's football medal for the first time in a whopping 28 years since the 1998 Bangkok Games. In particular, it is the best result ever achieved by China since age restrictions were introduced to the Asian Games men's football tournament.

The match was intense. China took the lead with an early goal from Hu Xutao in the 15th minute of the first half, but Uzbekistan equalized with a goal from Sardorbek Bahromov in the 42nd minute of the first half.

China regained the lead with Wang Yudong's fantastic chip goal in the 8th minute of the second half. However, Uzbekistan did not back down easily. In the 44th minute of the second half, Shodiyor Shodiboev scored a dramatic equalizer, resetting the score to 2-2.

In accordance with tournament regulations, the match proceeded directly to a penalty shootout without extra time.

China started nervously as its first kicker missed, but subsequent kickers succeeded in turn. Furthermore, goalkeeper Li Hao became the star of the victory by saving two penalties from Uzbekistan.

Ultimately, China won the penalty shootout 4-3.

Emotions also ran high among players from both teams during the decisive penalty shootout.

After China's successful penalty kick, as Uzbekistan prepared for its next kick, players from both teams swarmed in at once, leading to a heated confrontation.

Additionally, Uzbekistan's Bahromov continued the psychological warfare by throwing the ball in a different direction, while Chinese goalkeeper Li Hao reacted by staring at his opponent with arms outstretched.

It was a match where the emotions of players from both teams ran extremely high.

The rough atmosphere was clearly reflected in the actual match statistics as well. China received a whopping seven yellow cards, and Uzbekistan also recorded two cautions.

In fact, the psychological warfare between the two teams had been tense since regular time. Collisions occurred between players even in the first half, and tension continued throughout the match.

Local media in China also focused on the collision that occurred during the penalty shootout.

Sohu.com reported, "Multiple collisions occurred between players from both teams during the penalty shootout," adding, "A Chinese player was subjected to a 'chokehold' by an opposing player twice."

In the end, China emerged as the final victor of the bloodbath that even involved intense psychological warfare.

After the match, Chinese coach Antonio said, "It was a very difficult game for both teams. Both teams fought until the last moment for victory," adding, "Ultimately, we achieved our goal."

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*This content was translated by AI.