Uzbekistan Women’s National Team to Face Sri Lanka

The qualifiers for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup have officially begun in our country. Currently, football fans’ attention is focused on the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent. It is here that Uzbekistan’s women’s national team, under the leadership of Katrina Kulbite, will play its first official match. Their first opponent is the Sri Lanka national team.

The match will kick off on June 29 at 19:30. This is an important test, a crucial exam for our team. In recent months, the national squad has undergone serious preparation, played several friendly matches, and paid special attention to team cohesion through recent lineup changes. Now, the time has come for all these efforts to yield results.

A total of 26 talented players have been called up for this qualifying round. Most of them play for leading women’s clubs like Sevinch, Bunyodkor-W, and AGMK-W. Among the foreign-based players is Diyorakhon Khabibullayeva, who currently plays for Turkey’s Trabzonspor. This shows that the team has a strong blend of experience and international game culture.

The squad includes gifted players like Kamola Zaripova, Ilvina Ablyakimova, Laylo Tilovova, Madina Khikmatova, Shodiyo Tosheva, Dilnura Mamlakatova, Asalkhon Aminiyonova, and Ominakhon Valikhanova — demonstrating the depth and power of the roster. Head coach Katrina Kulbite, a Lithuanian specialist, has expressed confidence in the team’s competition and potential.

It should be noted that this qualifying stage is crucial for earning a ticket to the 2026 Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia. It’s a major opportunity not only for our national team but also for the overall growth of women’s football.

For football fans, tonight may turn out to be more than just a match — it could become a night of pride and emotion. Our women’s national team is taking an important step in front of their homeland and fans. Supporting them in this moment is a duty for every sports-loving citizen. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!