Nepal fails to qualify for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 despite Sabitra Bhandari hat-trick against Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan beat Nepal 4-2 on penalties in a qualifier on Saturday to book its place in next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Despite Sabitra Bhandari’s hat-trick, which helped Nepal equalise the score to 3-3 in regulation time, the South Asian side failed to qualify for the continental event.

The Nepal skipper also missed her penalty in the shootout. Anjana Rana Magar, the Nepal goalkeeper, was the other player to miss their penalty kick.

It was the host which took an early lead, in the second minute of the match, with Khabibullaeva netting Uzbekistan’s first goal of the match. It wasn’t long before the side doubled its lead as Karachik ran down the left flank unchallenged to finish the move.

AS IT HAPPENED | Uzbekistan vs Nepal Highlights

Before the 30-minute mark, Sabitra got Nepal back in the game with a goal scored from the edge of the box. But Uzbekistan put some more distance between it and the opponent after Shoyimova converted from the penalty spot. However just before half-time, Uzbekistan was reduced to 10 players after Ergasheva was given marching orders.

It was Sabitra who equalised the scoreline with two goals in two minutes and forced the match into penalties. But in the end, it wasn’t meant to be for Nepal.

The last time Uzbekistan had played in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup was back in 2003 when it failed to make it out of the group stage.