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HÀ NỘI — HCM City 1 and Phong Phú Hà Nam are favourites for the National Women's Football Championship, which resumes today in Hà Nam Province.

The second half of the tournament has become hotly-anticipated after the national team triumphed in the regional championship last month.

HCM City top the table on 16 points, with Phong Phú Hà Nam just three behind in second.

HCM City 1 are home to many stars such as Golden Ball winner Huỳnh Như, star forwards Chương Thị Kiều, Tuyết Ngân and Bích Thuỳ and goalkeeper Kim Thanh.

The southern side dominated the first period, winning five games and drawing one.

Defending champions Phong Phú Hà Nam are no easy out though, especially as hosts of the second half of the tournament.

They also won the National Cup which ended in May and can count among their number star playmaker Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung, striker Lê Thu Thanh Hương and defender Trần Thị Hồng Nhung, as well as four other national team players.

“I believe that four teams, HCM City 1, Phong Phú Hà Nam, Hà Nội and Việt Nam Coal and Minerals, will vie for the title. Among them Phong Phú Hà Nam are the most difficult team,” said HCM City 1 coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi.

“They have good players in all areas, plus an advantage of playing on home turf. Last year, they stole our crown. However, our target this season is to take it back,” she said.

HCM City 1 beat Phong Phú Hà Nam 2-1 in their meeting in the first half of the season.

HCM City 1 will play HCM City 2 in their first match, Phong Phú Hà Nam will face TNG Thái Nguyên and Sơn La will play Việt Nam Coal. Hà Nội have the first round of fixtures off.

The tournament will end on October 4 at Hà Nam Stadium. — VNS