Nepal were dumped out from the second round of the Asian Qualifier for 2020 Olympics after crashing to their second defeat going down to India 3-1 in their Group ‘A’ match in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Saturday.

Nepal had lost with the same score-line in their opening match against hosts Myanmar on Wednesday in the four-team group that only sends the group winners into the next round of Qualifiers. Nepal are yet to play against Indonesia on Tuesday. It was Nepal’s second defeat in a row against India in less than three weeks having also lost 3-1 in the final of the Women’s SAFF Championship on March 22. Overall, it was ninth defeat for Nepal against the South Asian neighbors out of 12 encounters. Two matches have finished in draw while Nepal have won only once.

The outcome puts India, who defeated Indonesia 2-0 in their first match, provisionally on the top of the table with six points from two matches. Nepal are yet to open their account in the table along with Indonesia who are set to play against hosts Myanmar in the late fixture of the day. Myanmar are behind India with three points and could level with the leaders if they beat Indonesia.

India took an early sixth minute lead courtesy an own goal from defender Punam Jargha Magar. Despite the flying start, India’s lead lasted only for a minute as Nepal skipper Niru Thapa restored parity capitalising on a defensive error from her opposite number Ashalata Devi. It was 11th international goal for skipper Thapa who had also netted against Myanmar in the opening match.

India restored one-goal cushion during an hour mark through a header from forward Sandhiya Ranganathan. Devi took the match beyond the reach of Nepal in the 77th through penalty to gain an edge for the third round. India will play hosts Myanmar in the last group match on Tuesday.

Nepal-India head to head

Nepal 0-5 India (2010 SAG)

Nepal 1-3 India (2010 SAG)

Nepal 0-1 India (2010 SAFF)

Nepal 1-3 India (2012 SAFF)

Nepal 0-6 India (2014 SAFF)

Nepal 0-0 India (2016 SAG)

Nepal 0-4 India (2016 SAG)

Nepal 1-3 India (2016 SAFF)

Nepal 1-1 India (2018 Olympic Qualifier)

Nepal 2-1 India (2019 Hero Gold Cup)

Nepal 1-3 India (2019 SAFF final)

Nepal 1-3 India (2019, Olympic Qualifier)