Nagoya (Japan), Oct. 3 -- China took the men's football bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, beating Uzbekistan 4-3 on penalties after the two sides drew 2-2 in regular time.
Goalkeeper Li Hao saved two penalties in the shootout before Peng Xiao converted the decisive spot kick. The bronze marked China's first Asian Games medal in men's football in 28 years.
It was also China's first medal in the event since the tournament adopted an under-23 format in 2002.
China lost 2-1 to South Korea in the semifinals, while Uzbekistan was beaten by Japan on penalties. The match was the second meeting between China and Uzbekistan in a major continental tournament this year.
In the quarterfinals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup in January, the t...