Futsal 

Thái Sơn Nam players celebrate their goal during the opening match of the National Women's Futsal Championship which began on August 26 in Hà Nam Province. Photo ò VFF

HÀ NAM — Two HCM City's representatives took wins in the first round matches of the National Women's Futsal Championship which began on August 26 in Hà Nam Province.

Champions Thái Sơn Nam made a brilliant start for their title defending campaign, beating hosts Phong Phú Hà Nam 5-0.

Thái Sơn Nam fielded in their best players while Hà Nam were without their key members such as Tuyết Dung and Trần Thị Duyên, leading to their poor performance on home ground.

Bùi Thị Trang opened the score in the tenth minute. Trần Nguyệt Vi and Trịnh Nguyễn Thanh Hằng made it 2-0 and 3-0, respectively, near the end of the first half.

Hà Nam tried to open more attacks in the second half but their efforts fell short. Defenders lost their concentration, conceding two more goals by Phùng Thị Nhung at the 28th and 31st minutes.

In the earlier game, HCM City beat Hà Nội 3-0. Trần Thị Thùy Trang and Quách Thu Em scored one each in the first half and Nguyễn Ngọc Thanh Như put the ball in the net ten minutes before the end.

In the next round on August 28, HCM will play Thái Sơn Nam and Hà Nam will take on Hà Nội.

The 2024 championship features four teams competing at the Hà Nam Province's gymnasium. They will play in a two-leg round-robin format. The first leg is from August 26-30 and the second, from September 2-6.

The champions will receive a trophy, gold medals and VNĐ100 million (US$4,000) as a bonus.

Two runners-up will bag VNĐ80 million and VNĐ50 millions, respectively. VNS