The Uzbekistan women's national football team secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Bangladesh in their final group stage match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, marking a historic first-ever qualification for the tournament's knockout stage. This win not only solidified their group standing but also placed them second among the best third-placed teams, earning a spot in the quarter-finals.

The crucial Group B match took place on March 9 in Perth, Australia, where Uzbekistan seized the initiative from the outset. Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a swift attack. In the first half, Bangladesh attempted to counter, creating several dangerous opportunities, but excellent play by goalkeeper Maftuna Joninkulova and the defense kept the goal intact.

In the second half, Uzbekistan's dominance translated into more goals. Dildora Nozimova doubled the lead in the 62nd minute and completed a brace just four minutes later, extending the advantage to 3-0. Nilufar Qudratova set the final score at 4-0 in the 88th minute. This victory proved pivotal for Uzbekistan's progression to the knockout phase, despite finishing third in their group.

In the parallel Group B match, defending champions China defeated North Korea 2-1 to top the group, with North Korea finishing second. Uzbekistan, with 3 points, ended up third in the quartet but advanced to the quarter-finals due to their strong performance among the third-placed teams. This achievement represents a significant milestone in the development of women's football in Uzbekistan, highlighting the team's growing competitiveness on the Asian stage.

Source: kun.uz