Nepal’s dream of qualifying for AFC Women’s Asian Cup shattered: Nepal losses to Uzbekistan on penalty shootout

Kathmandu. Nepal’s dream of qualifying for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 has ended after Uzbekistan defeated Nepal in a tiebreaker in the final match held on Saturday late night.

In the final match held at Bunyodkor Stadium at Tashkentof Uzbekistan, Nepali National Women’s Football Team lost to Uzbekistan 4-2 in penalty shootout.

The match entered the penalty shootout after the regulation 90 minutes ended in a 3-3 draw. In the shootout, Gita Rana and Sabita Rana Magar did goals for Nepal. Captain Sabitra Bhandari ‘Samba’ and goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar missed the penalty kicks for Nepal.

With this victory, Uzbekistan has been able to make its place in the Asian Cup for the first time. Nepal had scored first goal for Nepal in 12th minutes of the first half game as well as second and third goals in 70th and 71st minutes in the second half. Captain Samba scored all three goals for Nepal in the regulation 90 minutes. RSS