Two players compete for possession during a recent National Women’s Football Championship clash between Hà Nội (in red) and Thái Nguyên. — Photo courtesy of the VFF

Football

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội Women's Football Club are aiming to return to winning ways in the ongoing National Women’s Football Championship.

Although the club has a rich history of success in the competition, they have struggled in recent years. The team from the capital have suffered as rivals like HCM City and Việt Nam Coal and Mineral have lifted the trophy.

The training board and team are working hard to improve their performances in time for the National Football Tournament 2021 and the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which will be held in Hà Nội next year.

Hà Nội WFC has many talented players that are part of the national team set up, such as Phạm Hải Yến, Ngân Thị Vạn Sự and Nguyễn Thị Loan. However, converting Hà Nội's potential into success in the National Women’s Football Championship 2021 remains far from certain. 

To try and improve results, the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports has invited South Korean coach Jong Song-chon to lead the team.

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many tournaments were not held, affecting the performance of the players. However, my teammates and I will do our best at the National Women’s Football Championship 2021. Hopefully, with the guidance of coach Jong, we will achieve the best results,” said striker Yến.

According to the head of the football department of Hà Nội Sports Competition and Training Centre, Đỗ Văn Nhật, coach Jong will both train Hanoian players and rebuild the training plan according to South Korean standards.

“Coach Jong is a qualified coach, with a lot of experience in women's football. He successfully led the South Korean women's football team to the Asian Games twice, and the World Cup for women four times," Nhật said.

According to coach Jong, Vietnamese women's football in general, and Hà Nội women's football in particular, still have many weaknesses that need to be overcome in order to develop sustainably. Women's football tournaments are still unprofessional, training and competition facilities are deprived and the lives of the players are still difficult.

“I will, step-by-step, propose solutions to these inadequacies. I want to develop women's football in both Hà Nội and Việt Nam," he said.

Jong has also suggested that the Hà Nội Department of Culture and Sports and Hà Nội Sports Competition and Training Centre sign a contract with a South Korean assistant. More training equipment and improved nutrition are also needed for the players.

Đào Quốc Thắng, director of Hà Nội Sports Competition and Training Centre, said the National Cup and the National Women's Football Championship 2021 are important competitions for the Việt Nam Football Federation. They are excellent opportunities for players to hone their skills and gain valuable experience before the final round of the 2022 Asian Cup and the 31st SEA Games.  

Thắng said his centre will coordinate with the National Sports Administration to enhance nutrition for Hà Nội players who are present in the national women's football team and called for further funding. VNS