Sabitra Bhandari struck two early goals as India slumped to a 1-2 defeat against Nepal in their second game of the Hero Gold Cup women's football tournment at the Kalinga Stadium here Monday.
Sabitra (4th, 6th minutes) scored early for Nepal before India found a late consolation goal through Ratanbala Devi (83rd) as the home suffered its first defeat in the four-nation championship.
After the second game day, Myanmar stay firmly seated at the top of the table with 6 points from 2 games whereas India and Nepal are locked in second place with 3 points each. Iran are yet to open their account having played an equal number of games.
The Nepalese forward Sabirtra took only four minutes to score her first goal followed by another two minutes later.
Indian skipper Aditi Chauhan made a terrible mistake grabbing a cross from the right flank which eventually left Sabitra an easy opportunity to score her second and she did no mistake pushing the ball into an open net.
Maymol Rocky's girls changed the gear in their quest to find the target and Dalima Chibber could have hit the target form a long-ranger but her effort missed the target by a whisker.
In the 40th minute, Sanju's lay-off was collected by Jabamani Tudu but her cross proved to be too heavy for onrushing Anju Tamang.
India got another chance in the added minutes of the first half but Anju could rattle only the side-netting.
India got two back-to-back chances to breach the Nepalese defence in the 73rd and 74th minute but eventually, the score line remained same.
Sanju and Sandhiya, who replaced Anju Tamang in the 57th minute, coordinated well but failed to find the back of the net.
A minute later, Sanju tucked in a goal but she was ruled offside.
In the 83rd minute, India earned a free-kick at the top of the box owing to a handball by a Nepalese defender and Ratanbala converted it exquisitely to bring some life back into the game.
Although India tried their level best to find the elusive equaliser, Nepal stood tall to leave the ground with all three points
India will face Myanmar in the final game of the group stage at the same venue on Wednesday.
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