Nepal losses to Uzbekistan on penalty shootout

Kathmandu, July 6: Nepal’s dream of qualifying for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 has ended after Uzbekistan defeated Nepal in a tiebreaker in the final match held on Saturday late at night.

In the final match held at Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Nepali National Women’s Football Team lost to Uzbekistan 4-2 in a 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 scored 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 scored the first goal for Nepal in the 12th minute of the first half game as well as the second and third goals in the 70th and 71st minutes of the second half.

Captain Samba scored all three goals for Nepal in the regulation 90 minutes.