China lost to Iran 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out after the two sides drew 2-2 after extra time while host Qatar, Iraq and South Korea advanced to the men's soccer semifinals at the Doha Asian Games on Saturday.
The match between China and Iran was stained by gestures from Iranian player Borhani Arash, who broke the deadlock and scored in the 39th minute after bypassing Chinese player Wang Dalei.
But before he sent the ball into net, Arash stopped the ball on the line, gesturing for his teammates to come up, which is a very humiliating act.
Unfortunately, referee Alghafary Naser from Jordan, who had a clear view of all this, did nothing at all.
China quickly equalized when defender Feng Xiaoting shot the ball into the net in the 51st minute.
During the extra time, China's Zhou Haibin and Iran's Khoshkebejari Seyed Jalal each scored once for their teams, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
China lost 7-8 to Iran during the penalty shoot-out.
Later on Saturday, South Korea defeat DPR Korea 3-0 in a match of speed. South Korea scored twice with three minutes with goal from Kim Chi Woo in 31st minute, Yeom Ki Hun in 34th minute. Jung Jo Cook sealed the victory for South Korea with a goal in the 57th minute.
DPR Korea launched a string of counter attacks but made few shots on goal facing a well-organized South Korean defense.
In Saturday's other matches, host team Qatar defeat Thailand 3- 0, Iraq labored through Uzbekistan 1-0 in a match marked by 14 yellow cards and three expulsions.
The semifinal matches are scheduled on Dec. 12. Qatar will face Iran while South Korea will clash with Iraq.