Phong Phu Ha Nam beat Ho Chi Minh City I with a narrow score of 1-0 in the final match of the 2018 National Women’s Football Championship, on October 15, to be crowned the champions for the first time in the club’s history.

Phong Phu Ha Nam celebrate their first-ever National Women's Football crown.

Manager Nguyen The Cuong broke the deadlock seven minutes before halftime, with Thanh Huong heading home a corner kick.

After the goal, HCM City I put up pressure seeking to equalise the score. Manager Kim Chi’s side maintained a high pace in the second half, but Phong Phu Ha Nam played solidly on the defence and waited for fast counterattacks.

The strong determination of the two teams added more thrills to the remainder of the match, with more opportunities created towards each other’s goal area. However, the 1-0 score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

The bitter defeat put an end to HCM City I’s three-year reign at the national women’s football tournament.

As the runners-up, manager Kim Chi’s side took silver and VND200 million (US$8,600) in prize money. Meanwhile, freshly crowned Phong Phu Ha Nam were presented with the trophy and VND300 million (US$12,900). In addition, manager Cuong’s team also won the VND20 million fair-play prize.

Hanoi FC and Vinacomin shared the bronze medal with a stake of VND100 million (US$4,300) for each.

Forward Huynh Nhu of HCM City I was voted the best player of the tournament, while the ‘top scorer’ and ‘best goalkeeper’ titles went to Pham Hai Yen of Hanoi and Tran Thi Hai Yen of Phong Phu Ha Nam, respectively.

Nhan Dan