HCM CITY (VNS) — Striker Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung grabbed a goal in each half to help Phong Phu Ha Nam overcome Ha Noi 2-1 in their fifth game of the National Women's Football Championships.

With 12 points after five matches, Phong Phu Ha Nam are back on top and certain to be in the top two at the halfway point in the season, regardless the result of the match between Ha Noi 1 and HCM City.

Ha Noi 1 are currently in second with 10 points followed by HCM City in third with seven points.

After a balanced opening 10 minutes, the match quickly reflected the two teams' positions in the table with Ha Nam controlling the match and forcing bottom-placed Ha Noi to defend deeply.

After a couple of missed opportunities, Ha Nam broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Winger Nguyen Thi Lieu burst down in the right and squared the ball back to the unmarked Dung who slotted the ball neatly passed goalkeeper Nguyen Thi Hang.

The goal spurred Ha Noi 2 into life, but they were unable to make any real inroads into the Ha Nam defence.

At the other end, Ha Nam tried to test Hang with long-range shots, but quickly returned to the wings when that didn't work. The change of tactic nearly helped them double their advantage on the stroke of half-time, only to be denied by the post.

Van Thi Thanh's players continued to dominate in the second half and it took only ten minutes for them to add a second through Dung, who slotted home Pham Thi Tuoi's pass from the right wing.

Ha Nam took their foot off the pedal after that which allowed Ha Noi 2 to pull a goal back through Nguyen Thi My Hao seven minutes from time. The goal inspired Vu Ba Dong's players to go in search of an equaliser, but their efforts ended in vain. — VNS