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In the 80th minute of the 2-2 draw at Workers' Stadium on Thursday, Rogerio Alves of CAHN and Beijing defender He Yupeng clashed near the sideline. He initially stayed off the pitch but moved back in, seemingly to disrupt CAHN's attack, causing a scuffle.
Television coverage focused on the technical areas rather than the collision itself. Except for Beijing coach Quique Setien, players of both teams observed without rushing onto the pitch.
The incident was captured by Chinese fans and shared on social media platforms like Weibo, Sina and 163. It lasted roughly 30 seconds but created high tension.
When He was receiving medical attention, CAHN players asked their opponents to move him off the pitch so the game could go on, but Beijing players reacted strongly, especially when Alan Sebastiao tried to drag He off the pitch, leading to the brawl.
Witnessing the scuffle involving his teammate, Vietnamese-French player Cao Pendant Quang Vinh rushed at Wu Shaocong, prompting Stefan Mauk, Hugo Gomes, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Rogerio Alves and other CAHN players to intervene and de-escalate the situation.
As the tension escalated, fans from Beijing’s B stand threw objects onto the pitch, including water bottles that struck a Beijing's medical staff in the head and hit CAHN midfielder Le Pham Thanh Long's face. Players from both sides raised their hands to calm the fans, and Mauk was told to ease up after confronting the crowd.
A brawl between CAHN and Beijing Guoan in AFC Champions League Two at Workers' Stadium, Beijing, on Sept. 18, 2025. Video acquired by VnExpress
Without VAR, the Thailand referee team, led by Wiwat Jumpaoon, issued yellow cards to Cao Quang Vinh and Wu Shaocong. After consulting with assistants and organizers, additional yellow cards were given to Stefan Mauk and Wang Ziming. No red cards were issued.
Both teams and the stadium organizers are likely to face sanctions from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for player conduct and for allowing fans to throw objects onto the field.
This follows similar incidents involving Chinese clubs. In 2023, Zhejiang and Buriram United clashed in the AFC Champions League, resulting in a $10,000 fine for each club and suspensions for players and staff members.
Back to Thursday match, CAHN played offensively, opening the scoring in the 15th minute through Vitao and creating multiple scoring opportunities. Beijing equalized in the 49th minute when Chi Zhongguo’s long-range shot deflected off a defender. Zhang Yuan put Beijing ahead in the 65th minute after capitalizing on a misplaced pass by keeper Nguyen Filip, but Rogerio Alves secured a 73rd-minute equalizer to salvage a point for CAHN.
After the match, Beijing and CAHN sit second and third in Group E, while Hong Kong’s Tai Po FC lead following a 2-1 victory over Australia’s Macarthur FC. The second round will take place on Oct. 2, with Tai Po hosting Beijing and CAHN facing Macarthur.
