Locals lead global tournament

Viet Nam defeated Coal and Minerals 3-1 in the second round of the International Women’s Football Tournament held in Quang Ninh yesterday.

The win pushed them to the top of the table with six points, and moved them closer to the title.

Meanwhile, hosts Coal and Minerals dropped to one-from-bottom place.

International Le Thi Thuong opened the scoring for the national team who returned to the tournament to reclaim the title that they could not defend last year. Thuong had no difficulty in coasting past Coal’s defenders she regularly plays against in the national championship, finishing the run with a blistering shot that goalie Thanh Hao of Coal failed to deal with. 

Viet Nam (red) defeated Coal and Minerals 3-1; Photo; Dantri

The former champions doubled the score in the second half through Doan Thi Kim Chi who returned to the national team after her retirement in 2008.

Chi who is the most experienced player among a young squad, jinked her way through midfield and beat goalie Hao for the second time.

With a vociferous home crowd Coal striker Vu Thi Lanh, who is a regular Vietnamese international appearing for her local club in the event, narrowed the score to 1-2 some minutes later.

Her goal encouraged Coal and national team goalkeeper Thu Trang was kept busy.

Just when Coal looked like getting back into the game, the match was killed off with a Viet Nam national team free kick in the 85th minute. Chi eased the ball over the wall and beat Hao’s desperate finger-tipped attempt at a save. Kim Chi now tops the table as lead gold scorer.

In the final round on Friday, Viet Nam play second place Thailand who remain the national team’s biggest threat. Meanwhile, Coal will meet Laos who are participating in the tournament as practice for the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games they will host in December.

Laos remain bottom after their humiliating 5-0 loss to Viet Nam on Saturday.