Ha Tay on course for championship

Ha Tay repeated last year”s top finish in the first stage of the National Women”s Football Championships with a convincing 3-0 win over Thai Nguyen on Wednesday.

After winning four matches, Ha Tay took the first stage of the championships with 12 points and are on track for the title.

Ha Noi, with two points behind, are chasing leaders Ha Tay after Ha Nam held the capital city team in a scoreless game at Thanh Long Stadium despite their all-star line up. Ha Noi were on the offensive for most of the game but their strikers just couldn”t make a goal.

After losing all four of the previous games, underdogs Thai Nguyen entered Wednesday”s game with determination for a victory.

However, the team”s inexperienced players could only command the field for the first 20 minutes before Ha Tay”s Le Thi Oanh opened the score with a header.

Ha Tay”s second goal came from the clumsiness of goalie Duong Thi Thanh, who got confused and let the ball roll past her when experienced midfielder and Southeast Asian Games” best player, Nguyen Thi Thanh, faced her in front of the net.

Nguyen Thi Dang sealed Ha Tay”s win in the 60th minute in a perfectly coordinated attack with Le Thi Oanh, who sent an assist to Dang who then drilled the net above the Thai Nguyen”s goalie”s head.

At the District 8 Stadium, Cua Ong Coal fought back for a 1-1 draw with host HCM City, who were ahead with a first-half goal but lost their domination in the second half when the Coal team balanced the game.

HCM City, Quang Ninh and Ha Nam are level with seven points after two wins and a draw. HCM City are third, above fourth place Quang Ninh and fifth rank Ha Nam. Thai Nguyen are at the bottom with no wins. VNS