Uzbekistan Women’s Football Team Defeats Bangladesh, Advances to Asian Cup Quarterfinals

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Uzbekistan women’s national football team routed Bangladesh 4-0 in their final Group B match of the 2026 Asian Cup, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.

Making their first appearance in the continental tournament in 23 years, Uzbekistan launched an aggressive attack from the first whistle at Perth Stadium, needing a win to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

The opening minute saw Ilvina Ablyakimova set up Lyudmila Karachik for a shot, which went wide. Six minutes later, Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva broke through the center, but Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter blocked the close-range effort. Uzbekistan’s relentless pressing generated another chance shortly after, but a free kick by Karachik missed the target.

The breakthrough came on the next attack. A precise pass from Kudratova put Khabibullaeva one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and her low strike, grazing Akter’s glove, found the bottom-left corner.

Bangladesh continued to seek an equalizer, but efforts from Rita Chakma and Kohati Kisku were neutralized by Uzbekistan’s goalkeepers Maftuna Jonimkulova and Maftuna Shoimova.

In the 62nd minute, Uzbekistan capitalized on Bangladesh’s high press. Karachik set up Umida Zoirova on the left flank, who delivered a cross to substitute Dildora Nozimova, slotting the ball into an empty net. The third goal followed a similar pattern: Saliha Khusniddinova exploited the opponent’s high defensive line to assist Khabibullaeva, who then set up Nozimova for her second goal.

An Askalhon Aminjonova goal in the 70th minute was disallowed after a VAR review. Bangladesh came close to their first tournament goal in the 82nd minute, but Jonimkulova saved Sauravi Preeti’s curling effort.

The final goal came in the 88th minute. Zoirova flicked on a delivery from Shoimova, and Kudratova controlled and struck powerfully to make it 4-0.

Uzbekistan advanced to the Asian Cup quarterfinals as one of the tournament’s top third-placed teams.