Football

Defender Nguyễn Thị Thảo Mai of HCM City 1 (right) tries to escape from defenders of Hà Nội 1 during their match at the National Women's Football Championship on November 16 in Hà Nội. Photos of

HÀ NỘI — Defending champions HCM City draw 0-0 with Hà Nội 1 in the opening match of the National Women's Football Championship on November 16.

As two of the strongest football centres, both are considered title favourite this season.

Hà Nội I stepped up the pace after a slow start and created several opportunities but national forward Phạm Hải Yến could not find the back of the net.

Duo Nguyễn Thị Bích Thuỳ and Nguyễn Thuỳ Trang all threatened for HCM City 1 but failed to find the net with any of their attempts.

Both sides made changes in the second half but Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã of Hà Nội 1 and Phạm Thị Trang of HCM City 1 failed to score.

In the second match, HCM City 2 lost 2-0 to Hà Nội 2.

Bùi Thị Thương and Trương Thị Hoài Trinh scored one in each half for Hà Nội 2.

Earlier, Sơn La were defeated 0-5 by former champions Phong Phú Hà Nam and Thái Nguyên T&T lost 1-4 to Việt Nam Coal&Minerals.

Hà Nam topped the ranking table after the first round, followed by Việt Nam Coal&Minerals and Hà Nội 2.

The second round will be on November 19.

The national tournament features eight teams competing in round robin format.

This year, they vie for a record bonus of VNĐ500 million for the champions.

Forward Nguyễn Thị Thúy Hằng of Việt Nam Coal&Minerals (centre) during a match against Thái Nguyên T&T. Coal&Minerals win 4-1.

“In 2023, Việt Nam women's football reached national milestones. We competed at the World Cup for the first time and our U20s qualified for the Asian championship finals," said Nguyễn Thanh Hà, VFF deputy general secretary.

"Successes of the women are due to our national competitions and the contribution of clubs. This year, VFF has decided to increase the total bonus for the high-ranking teams and outstanding individual players.

"VFF hopes that with our good organisation and teams' preparation, the national championship will be high-quality event delivering competitive and fair matches."

She added that it was the 12th year in a row that the Thái Sơn Bắc Electric Equipment Trading Company sponsored the tournament. Their contribution,  along with efforts from other sponsors, were very valuable, contributing to the overall success of Vietnamese football.

 Trần Anh Minh, general director of Thái Sơn Bắc, said the national team's achievement at the World Cup and SEA Games were a pride of the women's football and the whole nation.

To maintain their performance and push them to the higher level, the quality of the national championship must be improved, he said, added that Thái Sơn Nam is proud play their part in the tournament as the main sponsor for 12 years.

He thanked VFF for choosing the company as a partner and wished for a successful season this year. — VNS