Rekha scored a brace as India slumped to a 0-2 defeat against Nepal in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship qualifiers on Friday.
The result affects India’s chances of qualifying for the next round, as it is now level on three points with Nepal and Thailand.
Rekha was the star of the show in an otherwise cagey game, striking two second-half goals to give Nepal its second win over India this month.
India’s first chance came via captain Jabamani Tudu, who rose above the Nepal defenders to meet a cross from Manisha, but her effort was blocked by the defenders.
Moments later, Renu broke away from the defence and found herself one-on-one with the keeper. Her first touch, though, was too poor and Nepal goalkeeper Anjana successfully thwarted the surge.
India had another chance around the 30-minute mark, when Jabamani played out a short free-kick from the right flank, towards Roja at the near post, but the winger miscued her shot.
Post half-time, it was a clearance from the half-line by the Nepalese defence, that found Rekha, who beat the Indian offside trap, to score.
Rekha found the back of the net again with two minutes left on the clock to put the game beyond India's reach. India now has to beat host Thailand in its final group game, and hope that Pakistan gets at least a point from its clash against Nepal.
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