Nepalese footballer (born 2001)
Rekha Poudel (Nepali: रेखा पौडेल; born 7 January 2001) is a Nepalese professional footballer who plays for Emirati side Abu Dhabi Country Club and the Nepal national team.[1]
Club career
In 2019, Paudel played a pivotal role in Biratnagar Metropolitan City's triumph in the Deputy Mayor Cup Women's Football Tournament and was named the tournament's best player.[2]
In April 2023, She joined Indian Women's League Side Sports Odisha.[3][4]
Abu Dhabi Country Club
On 5 August 2024, Poudel signed with the United Arab Emirates champions Abu Dhabi Country Club ahead of for their debut in the 2024–25 AFC Women's Champions League.[5] On 25 August 2024, She made her debut for the club in a 2–1 victory over Laos's Young Elephants, netting her first goal in the 46th minute and becoming the first Nepalese player to score in the AFC Women's Champions League.[6] On the final matchday against Host Al Nassr, She scored the winning goal in the 68th minute, securing the club's place in the group stage of the inaugural edition.[7] On 6 October 2024, Rekha Poudel became the first Nepali footballer, male or female, to compete in the group stage of the AFC Women's Champions League, making her debut in the final round of the competition, not just the preliminary round. [8]
International career
Youth
In 2018, 17-year-old Poudel was a part of the Nepalese under-18 team who finished as runners-up in the 2018 SAFF U-18 Women's Championship. She scored 7 goals in the opening match, a 12–0 victory over Pakistan.[9] She also played the 2019 AFC U-19 Women's Championship qualification, marking Nepal's first youth-level continental appearance. She scored a brace against India, helping her team advance to the next round.[10]
Senior
In 2019, she was named to the final squad for the 2019 SAFF Women's Championship.[11] She made her Senior debut on 12 March 2019, coming on as substitute in the 88th minute in a 3–0 win against Bhutan.[12] On 20 March 2019, She scored her first goal for the team in a 4–0 victory over Sri Lanka in the semifinals.[13]
Career statistics
International
- As of match played on 24 October 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
| National team |
Year |
Apps |
Goals
|
| Nepal
|
2019 |
5 |
1
|
| 2022 |
3 |
0
|
| 2023 |
5 |
1
|
| 2024 |
7 |
9
|
| Total |
20 |
11
|
- Scores and results list Nepal's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Poudel goal.
- As of match played on 21 October 2024
References
External links
