AFC Women's Asian Cup
A 3-0 defeat against DPR Korea in their opening game did little to mellow the fierce determination that personifies the Lithuanian tactician, for whom Friday’s tie represents a fresh opportunity to apply the learnings from their opening-day showing.
“We have a big game against China PR, which will not be any less difficult than our previous game as they have a quality team with great players,” said Kulbyte. “But after our first game, we have also found our own rhythm and are working hard to do our best tomorrow.”
Uzbekistan faced several challenges when they took to the field on Tuesday, including the loss of first-choice goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova and conceding two quick penalties, but the 33-year-old urged her charges not to dwell on the past and instead make the most of the opportunity that lies ahead.
“I always say that a new day lets you start one more time – it is a new page giving you the chance to write history once again,” she said. “Our last match posed some difficulties which shook the players’ concentration, so our learning was that no matter what happens on the pitch, we need to be better at maintaining focus.”
Uzbekistan faced several challenges when they took to the field on Tuesday, including the loss of first-choice goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova and conceding two quick penalties, but the 33-year-old urged her charges not to dwell on the past and instead make the most of the opportunity that lies ahead.
“I always say that a new day lets you start one more time – it is a new page giving you the chance to write history once again,” she said. “Our last match posed some difficulties which shook the players’ concentration, so our learning was that no matter what happens on the pitch, we need to be better at maintaining focus.”
Since taking the reins of the Uzbekistan side, Kulbyte has faced China PR twice, but has yet to come out on the positive side of the scoreline. However, she insisted that much has changed since those meetings and neither side remain the same.
“Football is dynamic and always changing, which is true for both sides. We are familiar with the game and know what we want to do,” said Kulbyte. “We have found our flow now and will play more freely, try to be more open, keep the ball more and create more scoring opportunities.
“Moreover, even though the recovery time during these competitions is short, I am quite pleased that our goalkeeper is healing well and should be ready for the upcoming game, and I believe we can do well tomorrow.”
“Football is dynamic and always changing, which is true for both sides. We are familiar with the game and know what we want to do,” said Kulbyte. “We have found our flow now and will play more freely, try to be more open, keep the ball more and create more scoring opportunities.
“Moreover, even though the recovery time during these competitions is short, I am quite pleased that our goalkeeper is healing well and should be ready for the upcoming game, and I believe we can do well tomorrow.”
#WAC2026 - Preview: Group Stage Matchday Two
Self-belief was also evident from China PR head coach Ante Milicic, who said that with the pressure of the opening match now behind them, the nine-time champions are looking to build on their winning momentum heading into Friday’s game.
“Of course, having played Uzbekistan twice in the last two years, we know it is going to be a difficult game but at the same time we have had a good recovery from our game against Bangladesh and are expecting to put on a good performance,” said Milicic.
“While we look to build on the excitement that the players are feeling, I think sometimes playing for a team that is favourite to win can also pose a bit of pressure, which is sometimes self-inflicted by the players themselves.”
“Of course, having played Uzbekistan twice in the last two years, we know it is going to be a difficult game but at the same time we have had a good recovery from our game against Bangladesh and are expecting to put on a good performance,” said Milicic.
“While we look to build on the excitement that the players are feeling, I think sometimes playing for a team that is favourite to win can also pose a bit of pressure, which is sometimes self-inflicted by the players themselves.”
Satisfied with their opening performance against Bangladesh, the 51-year-old added that the match could also provide an opportunity for other members of the squad to gain valuable tournament experience, especially as three Europe-based players - forward Wang Yanwen, midfielder Wu Chengshu and defender Li Mengwen - have now had time to recover from their long journey and adapt to the Australian climate.
“I am pleased that we have a squad of 26 fit players. We respect all the opposition we face, but at the same time we must focus on ourselves and implement what we have been working on,” said Milicic.
“I don’t like to label who the strongest 11 in the camp are, but there will be a chance for some players to earn game time, especially now that they have had the opportunity to acclimatise.”
“I am pleased that we have a squad of 26 fit players. We respect all the opposition we face, but at the same time we must focus on ourselves and implement what we have been working on,” said Milicic.
“I don’t like to label who the strongest 11 in the camp are, but there will be a chance for some players to earn game time, especially now that they have had the opportunity to acclimatise.”
Trivia
● Uzbekistan will be aiming to register their first win against China PR at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, after losing each of their first three clashes by an aggregate score of 0-30; they last met at the tournament in 2003 when they lost 0-11.
● China PR started their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign with a 2-0 win against Bangladesh, becoming the first team to reach 50 clean sheets in the competition; in fact, they are undefeated across their last 12 group stage games at the tournament (W10 D2), conceding only one goal in that stretch.
● Uzbekistan have lost each of their last four games at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, their outright longest losing streak in the competition; in fact, they have failed to score in each of their last two games in the competition, their joint longest such streak.
● Wang Shuang (China PR) scored once from five total shots on MD1 of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and has now scored six goals from 20 shots across her last five games at the continental showpiece, as well as making three assists across that stretch.
Uzbekistan v China PR
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Friday, 16:00 (UTC+11)
Venue: Western Sydney Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Friday, 16:00 (UTC+11)
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