Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal’s dream of reaching the final round of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup has come to an end after losing 4–2 to Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout in Tashkent on Saturday.
The match went to the tiebreaker as the regulation 90 minutes ended in a 3–3 draw, as the two sides had the same points and goal difference. M. Soyimova, Y. Zoirova, M. Khikmatova and M. Aminjonova scored for Uzbekistan in the shootout. For Nepal, Gita Rana and Savita Rana Magar scored, but Sabitra Bhandari’s shot struck the post and goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar’s penalty was saved by Uzbekistan’s goalkeeper M. Jonimqulov.
Uzbekistan took the lead in the second minute through a goal by Abubuleva. Although defender Gita Rana blocked Feruza Turdiboeva’s shot with a header, Khabibuleva, who was unmarked inside the box, converted the rebound.
The hosts doubled the lead in the 11th minute when Captain Liudmila Karachik beat Nepali keeper Anjana Rana Magar and the ball deflected off Samikshya Ghimire’s foot into the net.
Nepal pulled one back in the 24th minute. Captain Sabitra Bhandari’s long-range shot bounced in front of the Uzbek goalkeeper and sailed into the net.
Uzbekistan restored its two-goal advantage in the 39th minute as Maftuna Shoyimova converted from the spot after Saraswati Hamal had handled the ball inside the area.
In the injury time of the first half, N. Ergasheva received a second yellow card and was sent off, reducing Uzbekistan to 10 players.
Nepal benefited from the numerical advantage and struck twice in the space of three minutes to level the score. Sabitra netted her second and third goals in the 71st and 74th minutes, grabbing her third hat-trick in as many matches, to force the match into the tie-breaker.
Earlier, she had scored four goals against Laos and three against Sri Lanka.
Published On: 06 Jul 2025
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