Football

Đinh Thị Hồng Nhung of Phong Phú Hà Nam (left) vies for a ball against Huỳnh Thị Kim Hoa of HCM City during the opening match of the National Women's U19 Football Championship on August 13 in Hà Nam. Hà Nam win 1-0. Photos of VFF

HÀ NAM — Vũ Thị Hoa scored a winner to help Phong Phú Hà Nam beat HCM City 1-0 in the opening match of the National Women's U19 Football Championship on August 13 in Hà Nam Province.

It was a match between a team with many national U20 players of Hà Nam and a squad with many youngsters competing in the national championship of HCM City at the Hà Nam Stadium.

As hosts Hà Nam performed better in the first half but could not break HCM City's defence. They maintained high pressure in the second half and HCM City defenders took Tạ Thị Thủy down in the box, leading to a penalty for the hosts.

Hoa, the youngest player of Việt Nam at the FIFA Women's World Cup, made no mistake to open the scoring in the 62nd minute.

Hà Nam also created other threatening opportunities but could not converted into goal.

In the earlier match, Sơn La tied Việt Nam Coal and Minerals 1-1.

Thu Trang scored just eight minutes into the game for the Coal and Minerals. Hoài Vy netted an equaliser for Sơn La 20 minutes after the interval.

Today, Thái Nguyên T&T will play Hà Nội.

The national championship features six teams. They will compete in a two-leg round robin format. The first leg is from August 13-27 and the second from August 30-September 13.

The team with highest points will walk away with the championship trophy and VNĐ100 million (US$4,200).

The second- and third-placed teams will receive VNĐ80 million and VNĐ50 million, respectively.

Organisers will present awards to the most fair play team and outstanding individual such as MVP, top scorer and best goalkeeper.

"The National Women's U19 Football Championship has proved its key role in the national football competition," said Đinh Thị Thu Trang, head of the organising board.

"After 15 years, the quality of the event has been remarkably improved in both term of technique and competitiveness. From junior tournaments including the U19 event, many players have been selected to the national team.

"We believe that this year tournament will deliver competitive and fair matches. The organisers sincerely thank the support of the local authorities and sponsors in organising activities."

Players and referee observe a minute's of silence to show their respect to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai FC's three members who were killed in a road accident that shocked the whole football community.

Trang, the Việt Nam Football Federation deputy general secretary, expressed her and VFF's deepest condolences to the families of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Football Club's deceased members in a road accident while traveling from Đắk Lắk to Gia Lai after their last 2023 season game on August 12

Later, players, coaches and supporters made a minute of silence to them before beginning the opening match. VNS