Ha Nam's Nguyen Thi Thom competes with a Thai Nguyen defender for the ball in their match at the national championship. — Photo vff.org.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — A 1-1 draw yesterday narrowed Phong Phu Ha Nam's chances of winning the National Women's Football Championship title.

Ha Nam had two points less than the leading team Ha Noi 1 before it took on TNG Thai Nguyen in the ninth round match in Nha Trang City. A win over Thai Nguyen, who were ranked lower, was expected to push Ha Nam to the top. However, Ha Nam's Vu Thi Thuy could score only in the last minute of the first half of the match, though the team made strong attacks from the first whistle.

National team member Nguyen Hai Hoa levelled the score for Thai Nguyen in the 78th minute, helped by the Ha Nam goalkeeper's mistake.

After the unexpected draw, Ha Nam are placed second with 19 points, one point behind Ha Noi 1.

Thai Nguyen rank fifth among six teams, with 10 points.

In the last-round match, Ha Nam will play last year's runner-up HCM City on Saturday, and Thai Nguyen will face Ha Noi 2 a day earlier. — VNS