Việt Nam Coal and Minerals defeated defending champion HCM City 1 2-0 in the opener of the National Women’s Football Championship yesterday at the HCM City’s Thống Nhất Stadium.

Việt Nam Coal and Minerals (in blue) beat HCM City 1 2-0 in the first match of the National Women’s Football Championship on May 11.

HCM City, who won two of the last seasons in a row, are still considered the strongest among the eight participants.

Coach Đoàn Thị Kim Chi and her players, including many national team members, especially Golden Ball winner Huỳnh Như, have set a goal of winning a hattrick.

“Things are different this year, as Phong Phú Hà Nam and Hà Nội 1 have made some changes with a view to replacing us in the top position. However, we will play our best and work hard in every match to defend our title,” said Chi.

Their first rival, Việt Nam Coal and Minerals, ranked third last year.

The team hope to change their medal colour.

Some senior players have retired, but they have appointed the talented Thúy Hằng and Nguyễn Thị Vạn to lead the team.

Trần Thị Thu opened the score for Việt Nam Coal and Minerals just a few minutes into the first half.

Nguyễn Thị Vạn made it 2-0 near the end of the match in a one-two situation with goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh.

HCM City pushed up their speed, opened consecutive attacks but failed to break the visitors’ strong defence.

In the second match of the day, HCM City 2 and Sơn La, who were at the bottom of the ranking in 2016, will meet each other.

Hà Nội 1, who finished second after HCM City in the last two years, will meet with Hà Nội 2.

Phong Phú Hà Nam, under new coach Nguyễn Thế Cường, hope to beat TNG Thái Nguyên as their first step towards winning the championship for the first time

CLIP TP.HCM – TKSVN: 0-2