Football

VFF conducts the draw for the 2023 National Women's Football Championship which will take place from November 16 to December 28. — Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI — The National Women's Football Championship -- Thái Sơn Bắc Cup - promises to be more competitive this season more teams taking part.

The organisers on October 2 announced that eight teams would compete for the trophy and a purse of VNĐ300 million for the winner.

Sơn La team are back in action after two years of absence because of financial issues and not enough players after many decided to quit.

Teams will play in the two-leg round-robin format in Hà Nội and Hưng Yên Province from November 16 to December 28.

The first round matches will see a so-call 'early final' between two strongest sides, defending champions HCM City and runners-up Hà Nội 1.

Other match ups are Thái Nguyên T&T and Việt Nam Coal-Minerals; Sơn La and Phong Phú Hà Nam; and HCM City II and Hà Nội II.

The second-placed team will receive VNĐ 200 million and the third-placed one will take home VNĐ100 million.

VFF General Secretary Dương Nghiệp Khôi (left) and Thái Sơn Bắc Company General Director Trần Anh Minh after signing a sponsorship deal for the national women's competition.

Other awards include most valuable player, top scorer and best goalkeeper who will bag VNĐ10 million each.

Also at the draw for the tournament, the organisers signed a sponsorship deal with the Thái Sơn Bắc Electric Equipment Trading Company.

"2023 is a special year for Việt Nam's women's football as our national team made history participating the World Cup for the first time," said Trần Anh Minh, Thái Sơn Bắc Company general director.

"Our girls' determination and bravery strongly impressed international friends in New Zealand. As the main sponsor of the national championship for many years, we are happy and proud as we have partly contributed to the successful achievement."

Việt Nam Football Federation General Secretary Dương Nghiệp Khôi added: "It is the 12th year in a row that Thái Sơn Bắc Company has accompanied with the national championship. We appreciate and thank our sponsors and partners.

"VFF hope that not only the women's tournaments but also other competitions will receive more support from the community and fans to develop stronger in the future." — VNS