VietNamNet Bridge – Defending champions HCM City 1 will play Viet Nam Coal and Minerals in the opening match of the National Women’s Football Championship on May 11 in HCM City.

Journalists take part in the National Women’s Football Championship’s draw yesterday in Ha Noi. HCM City 1 will play Viet Nam Coal and Minerals in the opener on May 11.

The tournament will see the participation of eight teams, which will compete in a two-leg round robin format.

The first leg is from May 11 to June 1 at the Thong Nhat Stadium. The second leg is from November 6 to 27 at the Ha Nam Province’s Stadium.

The four best teams after 14 rounds will advance to the semi-finals.

The winning team will walk away with VND300 million (US$13,500) on December 3.

Last year, HCM City 1 beat Ha Noi 1 2-0 in the final to bag their second trophy in a row.

It is the sixth consecutive year that the tournament has received full sponsorship from the Thai Son Bac Electric Equipment Trading Company.

“Women’s football has bagged victories in regional tournaments and recently they laned a berth at next year’s Asian Cup. It is a great honour for Việt Nam. We hope our sponsor will play a role in helping them improve their skills and warm up for upcoming competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games,” Bui Dinh Te, Thai Son Bac Company’s chairman of the board of directors, said yesterday in Ha Noi.

“Hopefully it will be a successful championship and our players will get some experience while supporters will witness great matches,” he said.

According to Le Hoai Anh, Viet Nam Football Federation’s general secretary, the contribution of Thai Son Bac was important for the development of women’s football in general and this women’s championship in particular.

Players who display their talent at the championship will be selected for the national team, which will play the most important tournament this year at the SEA Games.

Following the first leg round, they will be summoned to train for the Games in August in Malaysia.

Viet Nam are one of the two best teams at the biennial Games. In the last nine tournaments, Viet Nam has won four and Thailand has pocketed five. In the latest edition in 2013, Viet Nam were defeated 1-2 by Thailand in the final and had to relinquish the crown.

They then return home for the national event’s second leg.

In early 2018, the national team will convene again to prepare for the Asian Cup in April in Jordan.

VNS