2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup: Uzbekistan officially advances to quarter-finals, Vietnam and Philippines compete for remaining spot

The Uzbekistan women's national team delivered a convincing performance by defeating Bangladesh women's team 4-0, thereby officially securing a ticket to the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Uzbekistan determines its own fate, Vietnam and Philippines still must wait

Right after the opening whistle, both teams entered the match with a fairly open game. However, Uzbekistan quickly demonstrated superiority in tactical organization as well as ability to capitalize on opportunities. In the 10th minute, from a fast counter-attack on the right flank, Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva accelerated past the opposing defender before delivering an accurate shot inside the penalty area, opening the score for the Central Asian representative.

After the early conceded goal, Bangladesh pushed forward their formation in search of an equalizer. In the 31st minute, Feruza Turdiboeva tried her luck with a long-range shot forcing the Bangladesh goalkeeper to showcase her skills to block it. On the opposite side, attacks by Tohura Khatun, Monika Chakma and Ritu Chakma also made goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova work quite hard. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan maintained a 1-0 lead advantage when the first half concluded.

After the break, Uzbekistan continued to increase pressure and quickly widened the gap. In the 62nd minute, Umida Zoirova executed a favorable pass allowing Dildora Nozimova to rush in and finish near the goal, raising the score to 2-0.

Just four minutes later, Uzbekistan continued to add another goal. This time, Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva utilized space in a fast counter-attack before passing the ball favorably to Dildora Nozimova who delivered a neat left-footed finish from the center of the penalty area, completing a double and raising the score to 3-0.

In the 72nd minute, Uzbekistan nearly scored a fourth goal when Asalkhon Aminjonova put the ball into Bangladesh's net. However, after consulting VAR technology, the referee disallowed the goal due to a foul occurring earlier.

During the remaining time, Uzbekistan maintained a dominant game situation. In the 82nd minute, Bangladesh had a notable opportunity when Sauravi Prity launched a dangerous shot from outside the penalty area, but goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova reacted timely to preserve the clean sheet.

Uzbekistan's attacking efforts were finally rewarded in the 88th minute. From a lofted ball, Umida Zoirova headed an assist allowing Nilufar Kudratova to finish accurately into the low right corner of the goal, sealing a decisive 4-0 victory.

With this result, Uzbekistan officially secured qualification for the AFC Women's Asian Cup quarter-finals. On the standings of the best-performing third-placed teams, the Central Asian team shares the same points and goal difference with Philippines but scored more goals, thereby definitely ranking above and securing the advancing ticket.

In the simultaneous match, China defeated North Korea 2-1 to enter quarter-finals as Group B leader.

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