Football

HCM City 1 players win the 2024 National Women's Football Championship title, setting new height with a record of sixth victories in a row on August 2 in Hà Nội. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI – HCM City 1 lifted their 13th trophy at the National Women's Football Championship, setting a new national record with their sixth title in a row, during the awarding ceremony on Friday in Hà Nội.

They flew home with an award of VNĐ500 million (US$19,800) for the champions, part of the total prize pool of VNĐ1.130 billion for the entire tournament.

Although they lost 4-1 to Hà Nội 1 in the last match, it did not affect their final standing, as the defending champions secured their top position last week.

Coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi provided opportunities for her young players but they went ahead with the opener by Cù Thị Huỳnh Như just three minutes into the match.

Hà Nội 1, which failed to meet its top-three target this year, responded by ramping up the pressure and launched a series of attacks.

They equalised nearly 10 minutes later with a goal from national striker Phạm Hải Yến. Biện Thị Hằng, Nguyễn Thị Hoa and Đặng Thanh Thảo then scored three goals for the hosts, who ultimately finished in an unexpected fourth position.

In other matches, Việt Nam Coal and Minerals trounced Sơn La 10-0, the highest result of the season. The win helped them secure silver, just one point better than third-placed Thái Nguyên T&T which beat Phong Phú Hà Nam 2-1.

It was the first time in history that Thái Nguyên won a place in the national top three.

Phong Phú Hà Nam received Fair-play award.

The organisers also delivered awards for the outstanding players.

Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Ngân of HCM City 1 was the most valuable player. Nguyễn Thị Trúc Hương of Coal and Minerals was the top scorer with 14 goals while her teammate Khổng Thị Hằng was the best goalkeeper. VNS