Bangladesh’s historic debut campaign in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 ended in disappointment as they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Uzbekistan women's national football team in their final Group B fixture at Perth Rectangular Stadium on Monday.
The result knocked Bangladesh out of the tournament, while Uzbekistan secured qualification for the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams.
Needing a four-goal victory to keep their knockout hopes alive, the Central Asian side started aggressively and nearly struck in the opening minute when Ilvina Ablyakimova set up Lyudmila Karachik, whose long-range effort sailed wide. Uzbekistan continued to press high and threatened again in the sixth minute, but Bangladesh goalkeeper Mile Akter rushed off her line to deny Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva from close range.
However, Bangladesh conceded shortly afterwards when Kudratova threaded a through ball for Khabibullaeva, who fired a low shot that brushed Mile’s glove before finding the bottom-left corner.
Despite falling behind, the Tigresses showed glimpses of promise. Around the half-hour mark, Tohura Khatun released Rituporna Chakma with a clever through ball, forcing Uzbekistan goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova to palm away her curling attempt. Bangladesh threatened again in the 42nd minute when Kohati Kisku’s shot from inside the box was blocked following a defensive error.
Bangladesh returned after the break with renewed intent. Sweden-born winger Anika Rania Siddique, making her first start for the national team, attempted a long-range effort, while Rituporna Chakma’s tame drive was comfortably gathered by Jonimqulova in the 50th minute.
Uzbekistan doubled their lead in the 62nd minute after exploiting Bangladesh’s high defensive line. Karachik released Umida Zoirova on the left, who squared the ball for substitute Dildora Nozimova to tap into an empty net.
The Central Asian side struck again soon after in similar fashion when Solikha Khusniddinova sent Khabibullaeva clear behind the defence, and she unselfishly laid the ball back for Nozimova to score her second.
Uzbekistan almost added a fourth in the 70th minute, but a VAR review ruled out the effort. Bangladesh were also denied their first goal of the tournament when substitute Sauravi Akanda Prity’s curling shot was parried away by Jonimqulova in the 82nd minute.
The fourth finally arrived six minutes later when Zoirova headed down Shoyimova’s cross for Kudratova, who controlled the ball well before drilling it into the net to seal Uzbekistan’s progression.
Bangladesh finished their maiden Asian Cup campaign without a point, having earlier lost 2-0 to defending champions China PR women's national football team and 5-0 to three-time champions North Korea women's national football team.
Despite the heavy defeats, the Tigresses showed moments of promise in their first appearance on the continental stage, gaining valuable experience against some of Asia’s strongest sides.
