Nepal’s rising football star, Rekha Poudel, delivered a match-winning performance that will be remembered for years. Coming off the bench in the 64th minute, Rekha scored the decisive goal that secured Abu Dhabi Country Club’s 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr in the AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Round. This victory not only clinched the group winner’s title for her team but also ensured their qualification for the main tournament of the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024/25.
Rekha, who has been a standout performer throughout the competition, made an immediate impact just four minutes after entering the pitch. She latched onto a well-placed pass from her teammate and calmly slotted the ball into the net, sending the fans into a frenzy and sealing the crucial victory for her side.
This goal marks Rekha’s second in the tournament, her first coming in a previous match against Laos’s Young Elephants F.C. With these goals, she has etched her name in history as the first Nepali player to score in this prestigious competition, showing her potential as a game-changer on the international stage.
The win propels Abu Dhabi Country Club into the AFC Women’s Champions League Main Tournament, where they will face off against some of Asia’s best teams.