Uzbekistan's first win seals Women's Asian Cup quarters berth

Uzbekistan's 4-0 win over Bangladesh means they are still a chance to reach the Women's Asian Cup quarterfinals ahead of Tuesday's final group-stage matches in Group C.
Uzbekistan's 4-0 win over Bangladesh means they are still a chance to reach the Women's Asian Cup quarterfinals ahead of Tuesday's final group-stage matches in Group C.
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Uzbekistan booked a place in the knockout stage of the Women's Asian Cup following a 4-0 win over Bangladesh in the final fixture of Group B.

The two teams entered the day still a chance to advance as one of the two best-ranked third-placed teams of the group stage, although both knew they were required to win big with goal difference likely to come into play.

With the big win, Uzbekistan finish their group-stage campaign second among the third-placed teams but, crucially, they can not slip any lower given Philippines, who concluded their Group A fixtures on Sunday, have an inferior number of goals scored -- with both tied on the same goal difference.

Philippines could still qualify should Vietnam, currently top of the third-placed teams, suffer defeat to Group C leaders Japan by three goals or more.

It took Uzbekistan just nine minutes to break the deadlock when star attacker Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva raced onto a clever through-ball by Nilufar Kudratova and drilled a low effort home for her side's first goal of the tournament -- which also happens to be their first appearance in 23 years.

But, for all their dominance, it was not until three minutes after the hour mark that the Uzbeks were able to add a second -- Lyudmila Karachik this time the one to split the Bangladesh defence, sending Umida Zoirova racing down the left before squaring the ball for substitute Dildora Nozimova to convert.

In a near carbon copy of her first goal, Nozimova then doubled her tally four minutes later with anotehr straight forward finish as Khabibullaeva emerged as the creator with a cut-back from the right.

And the crucial fourth goal, which ultimately made the difference for the Uzbeks, would arrive two minutes from time when when Zoirova nodded on a searching ball into the bath of Kudratova, who coolly brought the ball under control before finishing in unerring fashion.