Nepal crashed out of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers after losing 4–2 in a penalty shootout against hosts Uzbekistan on Saturday, ending their hopes of playing in next year’s Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

The regulation time ended in a 3–3 draw. With no provision for extra time, the outcome was decided directly through penalties.

Nepal were trailing 3–1 at half-time, but captain Sabitra Bhandari scored two goals in the second half to complete her hat-trick and level the match. She had also scored hat-tricks against Laos and Sri Lanka earlier in the competition.

However, in the shootout, Bhandari’s first attempt struck the pole, and goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar’s spot-kick was saved by the Uzbek goalie. Only Geeta Rana and Sabita Rana Magar managed to convert their penalties for Nepal, while all four Uzbek players scored.