An ill-tempered women's under-19 soccer match between China and Australia has ended with a mass brawl and accusations of cheating, Chinese media has reported.

It was another blow for the reputation of Chinese football, two weeks after a referee was attacked by players in a men's inter-provincial tournament, resulting in one player being banned for life.

China won the Asian under-19s championship match 2-1, holding on for victory despite a late appeal for a penalty from the Australians, who were aghast to see the referee award a free kick outside the box.

Australia's Jessica Seaman was dismissed on full-time and a bench-clearing brawl ensued, with the Wuhan crowd joining in by pelting the visitors with water bottles as they left the pitch.

In a statement, Football Federation Australia (FFA) said it was aware of the incidents.

"We can confirm that the Young Matildas players and staff are unharmed and safe," the FFA said.

"FFA is disappointed that ... players were the target of unacceptable crowd behaviour.

"FFA has taken up this matter with the AFC this morning.

"In the short term, the AFC has provided additional security to the Young Matildas for the remainder of their participation in the championship."

China coach Gao Rongming blamed his team's inexperience for their part in the incidents but Australia's Alen Stajcic said the match was an embarrassment for the hosts.

"We've prepared for 12 months to have an embarrassing sporting event take place like that in China," he told the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website.

"That's not sport. Sport's played by two equal teams battling for sporting supremacy, not that kind of behaviour.

"On the field, off the field, it's not good enough. It's not good enough. I'd be embarrassed if I were the host of this event after that game. It's not good enough."

The tournament also acts as a qualifier for FIFA's under-20 World Cup and the defeat makes Australia unlikely to secure a spot in Germany for next year.

"We created many opportunities but some non-sporting factors decided this match," Stajcic was quoted as saying by the Beijing News.

"Our opponents held up the game by faking dives and injuries, which caused our loss."

ABC/Reuters