Doha: Security guards rushed to intervene in a mid-pitch clash between stick-wielding players after the conclusion of the Asian Games men's hockey match between Oman and Bangladesh on Sunday.
The match spiraled out of control in the final stages as Bangladesh scored twice in the last four minutes to defeat Oman 5-3, and then things erupted into a confrontation watched by stunned spectators and officials including International Hockey Federation president Els van Breda Vriesman.
The Bangladesh-Oman match was to determine the fourth position in the preliminary Group B standings, but produced an acrimonious exchange of words and deliberate fouls on rival players.
Players exchanged heated words and jostled as they walked off the pitch, but it all blew out of control when Omani player Hossam Hassan stick charged at Bangladesh's Mamunur Rahman, who appeared to have been hit in the groin and had to be carried off on stretcher.
Security staff rushed in from all corners of the field.
The Asian Hockey Federation scheduled an urgent disciplinary meeting and was expected to release its findings later on Sunday.
Oman coach Mohie Saad al Zaghlool said the incident occurred due to the high-pressure situation, blaming the umpires of being partisan with their decisions.
"The players were nervous and the referees didn't do their job well," al Zaghlool said. "They were supporting the Bangladesh team."
Bangladesh opened the scoring through a penalty corner conversion by Isa Mia in the ninth minute, but Oman rallied to lead 2-1 at half-time.
Rasel Mahmud Jimmy's slap goal in the 58th minute drew 2-2 parity for Bangladesh and Mohammad Shahidullah made no mistake with a penalty stroke in the 61st minute to put Bangladesh ahead.
Oman again bounced back to equalise 3-3 before Bangladesh got late goals from Islam Zahidul and Jimmy.
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