In a high-stakes encounter of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Group ‘F’ contenders Nepal and Uzbekistan will face off tonight in what promises to be a thrilling decider. The match will kick off at 9:15 PM local time in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Nepal will be vying to secure their spot in the main round of the Asian Cup, building on their strong momentum from previous matches. The team has delivered impressive performances so far, thrashing Laos 9–0 and Sri Lanka 8–0 in their earlier group fixtures.
Uzbekistan, too, has showcased dominance in the qualifiers, routing Sri Lanka 10–0 and Laos 7–0. Both teams have identical records heading into this crucial match—each with 6 points and an equal goal difference of +17.
Given the group’s structure, only the top team will advance to the main tournament, making tonight’s clash crucial. If the game ends in a draw, the AFC regulations state that a penalty shootout will determine the group winner, as both teams remain tied in all decisive metrics including head-to-head and goal stats.
History Favors Hosts, But Nepal Eyes Upset
According to the latest FIFA Women’s Rankings, Uzbekistan holds a slight edge over Nepal, sitting at 51st compared to Nepal’s 100th position. History also favors the host nation. Uzbekistan has defeated Nepal in their last three encounters, scoring a total of 11 goals to Nepal’s 3.
In the 2019 Nadezhda Cup held in Kyrgyzstan, the two teams met twice—Nepal lost 2–0 in the group stage and again fell 3–2 in the final. Despite Uzbekistan’s home advantage and past successes, the Nepali side remains determined to challenge their experienced opponents and rewrite history.
The home side, which has participated in the Asian Cup five times and is set to host the 2029 edition, will undoubtedly put forth a strong performance. With both teams showcasing explosive form, Nepal enters the pitch aiming to continue their remarkable run and carve a historic milestone in women’s football.
