Uzbekistan booked a place at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 with a dramatic 4-2 win on penalties against Nepal after their concluding Group F tie ended 3-3 at the end of 90 minutes on Saturday.

The result meant the sides finished their respective campaigns tied on points as well as goal difference, leading to penalties being needed to decide the Group F winners. 

Sabitra Bhandari, who had pulled Nepal back into the tie with a hat-trick, and goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar missed with their efforts as Uzbekistan sealed a return to the Finals for the first time since 2003. 

Level on points and goals, both sides needed victory to be sure of advancing and it was Uzbekistan who wasted little time in finding the opening.

Feruza Turdiboeva’s long range effort in the first minute deflected into the path of Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva, who struck her shot into the bottom right corner of the net.

Uzbekistan doubled their tally 10 minutes later when Lyudmila Karachik surged into the box before unleashing a low drive which Samiksha Ghimire inadvertently turned into her own net.

The free-flowing game Nepal had shown in the earlier games was missing but Sabitra Bhandari, already with seven goals in the qualifying campaign, showcased her quality in the 24th minute.

The En Avant Guingamp Feminines forward collected Rashmi Ghising’s headed pass before beating Maftuna Jonimqulova with a superb strike from outside the box.

Uzbekistan, however, restored their two-goal advantage in the 39th minute with Maftuna Shoyimova converting from the spot after Saraswati Hamal had handled the ball inside the area.

The Central Asian side suffered a setback in first half stoppage time after Nozimakhon Ergasheva picked up her second yellow card for a tackle on Sabitra.

With a numerical advantage, Nepal went for broke when the match resumed and their positive play drew dividends with Sabitra drawing them level with two strikes in as many minutes.

The first came in the 71st minute with the second two minutes later and with neither side able to find a winner, penalties were needed to separate the sides.

Sabitra saw her opening effort hit the left upright while Anjana sent her effort too close to custodian Jonimqulova as Uzbekistan sealed a place in the Finals.