Violent scenes in Beijing as Japan wins Asian Cup
The Japanese soccer team has retained the Asian Cup, beating China by three goals to one, in a highly-charged atmosphere in the Workers' Stadium in Beijing.
The Japanese national anthem was drowned out by boos from the Chinese team's supporters, who continued to jeer throughout the game.
Hundreds of Chinese soccer fans confronted riot police for several hours outside the Beijing stadium throwing bottles and shouting obscenities and burning Japanese flags.
The governments of both countries had pleaded with fans to stay calm before the potentially explosive encounter. Some 6,000 riot police, troops and security staff were deployed at the stadium.
The Chinese still resent Japan's invasion and occupation of parts of their country from 1931 to 1945 when tens of millions died and Japanese soldiers were widely referred to as devils.
About 2,000 Japanese fans sat separated from their Chinese counterparts by police.The protests outside the stadium prevented them from leaving until several hours after the match ended.
08/08/2004 09:09:25 | ABC Radio Australia
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