Forward Ngân Thị Vạn Sự of Hà Nội 1 (white shirt) takes the ball past HCM City 1 players during their meet at last year's National Women's Football Championship. The two sides will play each other in this year's opening game on November 16 in Hà Nội. Photos of VFF

HÀ NỘI — HCM City 1 is determined to defend its title while Thái Nguyên T&T  set a medal target in the National Women's Football Championship which will begin on November 16 in Hà Nội.

Thái Nguyên has gradually become a strong force in the domestic league after receiving support from T&T Group over the last two years.

In their third year under the new sponsor, Thái Nguyên wants to finish in the top three for the first time.

“This year, Thái Nguyên remains a good force. Captain Trần Thuý Nga is still a key player along with national defender to lead my team," said coach Đoàn Việt Triều.

"We also have talented young players. Among them, striker Ngọc Minh Chuyên has proved her ability.

"In football, we always face challenges that make us develop. This year, both club managers and coaches set the goal of being in the top three."

Meanwhile, as the reigning champions, HCM City 1 is determined to protect its crown, which is considered not an easy task in the context of rising threats from Hà Nội 1 and Việt Nam Coal&Minerals.

Coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi had no national striker as Huỳnh Như is playing in Portugal. Youngster Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Ngân will lead the front line.

She will be supported by teammates K’Thủa, Ngọc Duyên, Kim Phụng and Ngọc Châm, who are knocking on the door of the first team this season.

HCM City 1 still has top players such as World Cup participants Trần Thị Kim Thanh, Trần Thị Thu, Trần Thị Thuỳ Trang and Nguyễn Thị Bích Thuỳ. Their higher level of quality has helped HCM City 1 win the national title 10 times.

Hà Nội 1 will be under new head coach Đặng Quốc Tuấn and plan to add the 11th trophy to their collection this season.

Their ambitions rely national team members such as strikers Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã, Ngân Thị Vạn Sự and Phạm Hải Yến, defender Trần Thị Hải Linh and goalkeeper Đào Thị Kiều Oanh.

After their 2022 National Cup victory, Việt Nam Coal&Minerals have a strong base when targeting better results than last year's third place.

Players of Hà Nội and Việt Nam Coajl&Minerals in their match last year. — Photo of VFF

Coach Đoàn Minh Hải maintained his line-up that won the National Cup such as goalkeeper Khổng Thị Hằng, forward Khổng Thuý Hằng, midfielders Dương Thị Vân and Nguyễn Thị Vạn, and defender Lương Thu Thương.

Hải believed that his star players and youngsters would be a good combination to lift the team to a new height.

Former champions Phong Phú Hà Nam who are in their rejuvenation process also wanted to have a medal this season.

Hà Nam is home to famed national players such as midfielder Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung, goalkeeper Lại Thị Tuyết and defender Trần Thị Duyên. They are expected to help guide younger teammates.

Falling out of the top three last season was a big blow to coach Nguyễn Khánh Thu who encouraged the team to work hard in the last months for a strong return.

This season will see Sơn La FC back to action after two years off because of financial problems.

The club has received strong support from Thái Sơn Bắc Electric Equipment Trading Company and Sơn La Province leaders.

"We admire the efforts of Sơn La club to overcome difficulties. Hopefully, the team will receive more care in the near future while the province will have a suitable policy to better invest in women's football," said Trần Anh Minh, general director of Thái Sơn Bắc Electric Equipment Trading Company.

"We also hope that more enterprises will join us to promote the country's women's football movement."

In an effort to push the tournament competitiveness, the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) and its sponsors have increased the bonuses for the national championship to a total of VNĐ1.13 billion (US$46,200).

The winners will walk away with VNĐ500 million instead of VNĐ300 million as announced last month.

The second-placed team will receive VNĐ300 million and the third-placed one will take home VNĐ200 million.

Other awards such as most valuable player, top scorer, best goalkeeper and fair-play team will also earn bigger bonuses.

The tournament features eight teams competing from November 16-December 28. 

Hà Nội 1 and HCM City 1 will play each other in the opening match at the VFF's Football Field.  

All matches are free for supporters and will be live broadcast on VTVcab channels and VFF's social networks. VNS