HÀ NAM — Hà Nội 1 defeated Phong Phú Hà Nam away at Hà Nam Stadium in the first match of National Women’s Football Championship – Thái Sơn Bắc Cup 2018. 

Striker Phạm Hải Yến’s header in the 77th minute sealed a 1-0 win for the capital side. 

After watching Hồ Chí Minh City 1 (HCMC 1) lift the trophy for three consecutive years, 10 times champions Hà Nội 1 showed determination from the first whistle by pressuring Phong Phú Hà Nam’s defence.

Their first chance came in the fourth minute for captain Nguyễn Thị Muội after the ball was blocked by a Ha Nam defender, but her shot was too weak to trouble the goalkeeper.

After being overwhelmed in the beginning, Phong Phú Hà Nam began to assert themselves. 

Their midfielders linked up well but with the absence of main striker Nguyễn Thị Nguyệt due to injury, Hà Nam failed to convert the final passes into chances. 

Their best chance was Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung’s direct shot from a corner in the 44^th minute, but Hà Nội’s goalkeeper Hoàng Thị Loan pushed the ball out of danger.

The first half ended goalless.

Clearer chances came in the second half, as in the 50th minute, after Hà Nội’s Nguyễn Thị Muội free kick, the ball eluded Hà Nam’s defence and came right to Muội’s teammate, but her shot hit the post.

Only two minutes after, Phong Phú Hà Nam hit Hà Nội’s post after Nguyễn Thị Liễu’s shot.

Both team put on an entertaining second half but there only one team took their chances.

In the 77th minute, after a corner, Hà Nội’s Phạm Hải Yến jumped higher than every other players and scored the winning goal.

For the rest of the match, valiant efforts, Phong Phú Hà Nam couldn’t score the equaliser.

The match ended with a first win for coach Đặng Quốc Tuấn’s players.

The second match of the tournament yesterday was a derby between HCMC I and HCMC II.

Playing on the front foot, HCMC I easily defeated their opponents 4-0, opening the scoring in the seventh minute.

Controlling the ball most of the match, the team scored another three goals in the first half.

Hà Nội 1 will face Hồ Chí Minh City 2 in the second match while Phong Phú Hà Nam’s opponent will be defending champion  Hồ Chí Minh City 1 on May 24. — VNS