Tashkent, July 5 -- As Nepal gear up to face Uzbekistan on Saturday in what is effectively the group decider at the AFC Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, the expectations on the pitch are far removed from the broader realities.

While Uzbekistan's men's team has surged onto the world stage-making their Olympic debut in Paris last year and qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup in 2026-the ripple effects of state investment can be seen throughout the association. Better facilities, youth academies, and professional staff have also raised standards in the women's programme, which, though still developing, benefits from the same system and resources.

"Without investment, it is difficult to get good results in football," said Guy Kiala, a Bel...