Bangladesh wrapped up their maiden AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign with a crushing 4-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in their final Group B match at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia on Monday.

Uzbekistani forward Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva opened the scoring early in the 10th minute, before super-sub Dildora Nozimova (62nd, 66th) scored a brace, while forward Nilufar Kudratova added the final goal two minutes from the stipulated time.

Bangladesh, ranked 112th in the current FIFA rankings, began their campaign with a fighting 2-0 loss to holders and nine-time champions China (12th) before suffering a thumping 5-0 defeat to three-time champions North Korea (9th) and Monday’s loss to 49th-ranked Uzbekistan.

Bangladesh conceded 11 goals in three matches and did not score any in the 12-team tournament, which offered double qualification spots for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and the 2028 Olympics.

Both Bangladesh and Uzbekistan needed a win to advance to the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams. Ultimately, Uzbekistan progressed in their sixth appearance since 2003.

China and North Korea also secured their places in the quarter-finals and confirmed their qualification for the Olympics.

English coach Peter Butler was disappointed over the loss and particularly unhappy with the scoreline.

‘I think this scoreline is not a true reflection of how the game went. I think for a long period we played poor football… disappointing with the final result,’ Butler said in the post-match press conference on Monday.

Despite the outcome, the coach praised the efforts of the players, stating, ‘I have got nothing but praise for the girls. They have come a long way… I have a lot of respect for the girls.’

‘We played against a team that is 63 places higher in the FIFA rankings and who are physically stronger… When you compete at the AFC level, you face good teams, better teams; physically and logistically, stronger teams, who are well-prepared from where we are,’ he continued.

‘I think this is a learning opportunity from this event… We don’t have a proper football pitch in Bangladesh, which is an issue… Now I will reflect on what I want to do moving forward. I will go back to England,’ said the coach.