Football

Phong Phú Hà Nam players and coaches pose with their medals and bonuses from the National Women's Football Cup on February 28 at the PVF Football Centre in Hưng Yên Province. VNS Photo Khiếu Thanh Hà

HƯNG YÊN — Phong Phú Hà Nam secured the bronze medal at the National Women's Football Cup after beating Thái Nguyên T&T 3-2 in a penalty shootout on February 28.

The game went back and forth between the two teams in the first half. They both tried to counter-attack but could not find way to break the other side's defence.

In the second half, coach Nguyễn Khánh Thu of Hà Nam and Đoàn Việt Triều of Thái Nguyên made changes to strengthen their frontlines.

Triều's players did a better job with threatening opportunities toward the end of the game. Attempts by Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Anh, Trần Mai Tuyền and Lò Thị Hoài were either denied by the bar or goalkeeper Trần Thị Trang of Hà Nam.

The match had to be decided by penalty kicks.

While Thái Nguyên made only two shots, Hà Nam were successful three times and secured third place.

It was the second time that Thái Nguyên lost by penalty kicks. Two days ago, they lost 3-4 to Hà Nội in the semi-finals by penalties.

While Hà Nam players jumped up to cheer their win and VNĐ100 million (US$4,200) bonuses, many Thái Nguyên players cried for the loss.

Coach Triều tried to comfort them by saying that losing in penalties is normal in football. But his words were not strong enough to make his players feel better.

In the other match at the Hà Nội's Việt Nam Youth Football Training Centre, HCM City, playing without their best line-up, beat Hà Nội 2 1-0.

The only goal went to Trần Thị Thu Thảo at the 59th minute.

Last year's champion HCM City finished fifth. Sơn La were sixth while Hà Nội 2 were at the bottom.

In the finals on March 1, Hà Nội 1 will play Việt Nam Coal and Minerals. VNS