Futsal 

Captain Trần Thị Thùy Trang of HCM City (right) scores one and assists one in HCM City's 2-2 draw against defending champions Thái Sơn Nam at the National Women's Futsal Championship on September 2 in Hà Nam Province. — Photo courtesy of VFF

HÀ NAM — HCM City ended Thái Sơn Nam's winning streak with a 2-2 draw at the National Women's Futsal Championship on September 2 in Hà Nam Province.

Reigning champions Thái Sơn Nam out in an outstanding performance after a maximum three wins in the first leg of the tournament, including a 5-1 win over HCM City on August 28.

However, their rivals learnt a lesson and knew how to fight back.

Just one minute into the game, captain Trần Thị Thùy Trang set K'Thủa in a perfect place to tap in an opening goal.

Thái Sơn Nam players seemed shocked after the early loss and tried to rearrange the team as quick as possible.

Six minutes later, Bùi Thị Trang levelled the score after a mess in front of HCM City's goalmouth.

HCM City again went ahead at the tenth minute when K’Thủa's pass found Trang in the box and the former national football midfielder netted to make 2-1.

The defending champions tried to press on with high pressure on HCM City in the second half, but only luck could help them avoid conceding goals from their rival.

Hồng Nhung and Trang missed threatening opportunities that either hit the post or were denied by goalkeeper Đinh Nguyễn Ngọc Linh.

Thái Sơn Nam kept attacking and they switched to a power-play tactic in the last minutes of the match.

At the 38th mark, Nguyễn Phương Anh found the equaliser from a counter-attack, saving Thái Sơn Nam from a defeat.

In the later match, Hà Nội bagged their first win of the tournament beating Phong Phú Hà Nam 2-1.

Nguyễn Kim Anh and Bùi Thị Thương scored one each for the capital city while Nguyễn Thùy Linh narrowed for the hosts in the second half.

After four rounds, Thái Sơn Nam are still secure at the top of the rankings with ten points, followed by HCM City with five points.

Hà Nam are in third with four points and Hà Nội stay at the bottom with three.

In the next fixture, HCM City will play Hà Nội, while Thái Sơn Nam will face Hà Nam on September 4. — VNS