National champions HCM City will play Hong Kong in the opener of the International Women's Football Tournament. — File Photo

HA NOI (VNS) — Hosts HCM City FC will play Hong Kong in today's opening match of the International Women's Football Tournament at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

Prior to that match, Myanmar's youth team will face Far Eastern University of the Philippines.

Teams will compete in a round robin format with the winners walking away with US$5,000.

The women's tournament is one of the efforts by the city to give its players international competition experience.

"We have worked hard to make the event happen and will try our best to make it an annual tournament," Tran Anh Tu, head of the City's Football Federation said.

"Only some members of my team, who are national team players, have the chance to compete in international tournaments. I hope this event will make them more confident and improve their skills," coach Doan Thi Kim Chi of the hosts said.

At the press conference yesterday Chi avoided talking about her target but revealed that the strongest line-up which triumphed at the national championship in June will be present at the tournament.

Hong Kong also did not rate its chances to win but said its young squad was here only to collect more experience. These girls are the core of Hong Kong football in the future.

Myanmar brought its young team to HCM City with a view to prepare for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games where the team has been always one of the title favourites. Myanmar is sitting at No 47 in the world women's ranking.

The only team that has maintained a level of secrecy about it is the Filipino team with no information about them being released.

The second round match is on Friday and the last round two days later.

Interested fans can enjoy the matches from stands A1, A2 and A3 with a ticket costing VND50,000 (US$2.2) while the others stands are free to all. — VNS