Football

Việt Nam Football Federation conducts a draw of the National Women's U19 Football Championship on September 11 in Hà Nội. Photos courtesy of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Defending champions Phong Phú Hà Nam will play hosts Hà Nội in the opening match of the National Women's U19 Football Championship after a draw conducted in the capital city on September 11.

It is considered an 'early final' of the tournament, which will be kicked off on September 18 at the Việt Nam Football Federation's Youth Football Training Centre, as both teams are national powerhouses in either senior and junior football levels. The duo were also first and second finishers last season.

Other teams competing at the annual event, known as the Acecook Cup, include HCM City, Sơn La, Thái Nguyên T&T and fresh face Zantino Vĩnh Phúc.

They will compete in the two-leg round robin format. The first leg is from September 18 to October 2 in Hà Nội and the second leg is from October 5-19 in Hà Nam Province.

Speaking at a press conference on September 11, VFF General Secretary Dương Nghiệp Khôi said: "After 16 years of organisation, the championship affirms itself as an important part of the national competition system.

"Coaches and scouts have found many talented players for the national team which have made remarkable achievement for Việt Nam internationally.

"The tournament plays key role in promoting the development of both quantity and quality of young football players in club and national levels," he said.

VFF General Secretary Dương Nghiệp Khôi (left) and Acecook Việt Nam's Deputy Director of the Marketing Department Kajiwara Shinsuke at the sponsorship signing ceremony.

Also on September 11, VFF signed a sponsorship contract with Acecook Việt Nam which will be first ever main sponsor of the U19 tournament.

Attending the signing ceremony, Kajiwara Shinsuke, Acecook Việt Nam's deputy director of the Marketing Department, said during 30 years of operating in the country, Acecook understands that it is the company's development is thanks to Vietnamese consumers' support.

Acecook's accompany with local sports in general and football, especially youth football, in particular is just part of the company's plan to activities to thank the people and the country of Việt Nam.

He hoped that the company's sponsorship would help young female players to practise better and develop their abilities. At the same time, the thrilled matches would encourage and push women to take part further in sports.

Acecook is VFF's long term partner as the company is also the main sponsor of the national team, the international U13 Việt Nam-Japan tournament, the national student football championships and the National U15 Football Championship which closed last week in Hưng Yên Province. VNS