Sabitra scores a hat-trick for the third consecutive match, but Nepal is stunned in penalty shootout

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Kathmandu – Nepal faced defeat against Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan successfully secured a spot in the Asian Cup for the first time in 22 years.

The match ended in a 3-3 draw during regular time, leading to a penalty shootout where Nepal was edged out 4-2. Despite trailing 3-1 in the first half, Nepal made a stunning comeback, leveling the match at 3-3 in the second half.

As all three group matches were won, Uzbekistan topped their group with 9 points, securing a place in next year’s Asian Cup in Australia. In the penalty shootout, Uzbekistan converted all their kicks, while Nepal stumbled when Sabitra’s initial shot hit the post. Geeta Rana converted Nepal’s second kick, and Sabitra Rana Magar scored as well. However, Anjila Rana Magar’s shot was saved, ending Nepal’s chances after Uzbekistan’s successful shots.

Earlier in the match, Uzbekistan took a commanding 3-1 lead in the first half. They, however, went down to 10 players in extra time of the first half, paying for it in the second. In the first half, Khabiibuyeva and Matfuna Sojimova scored for Uzbekistan, with the third goal resulting from an own goal by Nepal’s Samiksha Ghimire.

For Nepal, Sabitra Bhandari (Samba) scored one goal. Uzbekistan had already taken the lead in the second minute through a goal from Khabiibuyeva, who capitalized on a defensive error. Nepal conceded again in the 12th minute following an own goal by Samiksha Ghimire from a cross by Uzbekistan’s captain Liudmila Karachik.

Nepal managed to get a goal back in the 24th minute when captain Samba capitalized on a failed clearance, sending Rashmi Kumari Ghising’s header past the keeper from 25 yards out with her left foot. The 37th minute saw Uzbekistan awarded a penalty after a handball by Saraswati Hamal, which Matfuna Sojimova converted. Following a tackle on Samba, Uzbekistan’s E. Ergaseva received a second yellow, reducing them to 10 players before halftime.

In the second half, Nepal staged an impressive comeback, with Sabitra Bhandari scoring all three goals for Nepal. She netted her second goal in the 71st minute, followed by a hat-trick two minutes later to level the match. However, with no additional goals, the match moved into a penalty shootout, where Nepal unfortunately stumbled.

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