Compete with determination and discipline.
On the evening of May 23rd, the Thai Nguyen stadium witnessed a rare moment of joy for Hanoi women's football in recent years. Coach Phung Thi Minh Nguyet and her players gathered around each other in jubilation after securing a place in the final with a dramatic victory in the semi-final against the home team, Thai Nguyen T&T.
The two teams drew 0-0 in a closely contested match that went to a penalty shootout. Young goalkeeper Van Lien shone brightly, successfully saving two of the opponent's shots, making a significant contribution to Hanoi 1's 4-2 victory. It's also worth mentioning that the Hanoi players confidently took their penalties and successfully converted all four.
It was also a memorable evening for Nguyen Thi Hang, who took the fourth penalty for Hanoi 1. In the previous National Cup season, in the final group stage match, Hanoi 1 needed to win against Than Khoang San Vietnam to qualify for the semi-finals. In that match, Hanoi 1 had a chance to win when they were awarded a penalty. However, young player Nguyen Thi Hang failed to convert, causing Hanoi 1 to fail to reach the semi-finals of the National Cup for the second consecutive time. That was truly a shock for Hanoi women's football.
But a year later, under the guidance of coach Phung Thi Minh Nguyet, while technical and tactical aspects still needed adjustment, improvement, and enhancement, the team's spirit was completely different. Not only did they confidently execute the tense penalty shootout against the enthusiastic host team Thai Nguyen T&T, but the Hanoi players also demonstrated determination and discipline in their play. From veterans like Pham Hai Yen, Bien Thi Hang, Hoang Thi Loan, Thai Thi Thao, and Ngan Thi Van Su to the young players, all strived to fully implement the coaching staff's tactics. And Nguyen Thi Hang, who missed her penalty in the match against Than Khoang San Vietnam the previous year, confidently converted her fourth penalty, securing the overall victory for her team.
It's no coincidence that after the semi-final match, standing among the players, former number one winger of Vietnamese women's football, now the coach of Hanoi 1, Phung Thi Minh Nguyet, choked up as she thanked her players for fighting their hearts out. Coach Phung Thi Minh Nguyet said that, at the present time, with a squad mainly composed of young players and without foreign players like Thai Nguyen T&T, the whole team had decided to play as the underdog. This required the players to absolutely believe in the tactics of the coaching staff, while maintaining focus and not underestimating the opponent. What pleased the coaching staff most was that the players trusted and seriously implemented the tactics set out.
Efforts to rejuvenate the squad.
Deputy Director of the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center, Dang Xuan Huong, after congratulating and encouraging the entire team, also stated that this is only the initial success. A long road lies ahead with much work to be done for the team to reaffirm its position. In the immediate future, the Center and the football department will continue to provide maximum support in terms of facilities and equipment to help the women's teams have the best possible training environment.
It's no coincidence that after the semi-final match, just minutes after celebrating their victory, coach Phung Thi Minh Nguyet and her team focused on recovery to prepare for the National Cup final on the evening of May 27th. This will be a difficult match as Hanoi 1 will be missing four key players due to injuries (Thanh Nha, Hai Linh) and suspensions (Hai Yen, Nguyen Thi Hoa).
However, this is also an opportunity for young players to compete and experience the atmosphere and pressure of top-level matches. According to Nguyen Trong Hong, Head of the Football Department (Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center), this is still the initial stage for Hanoi women's football to renew its squad. Therefore, young players will be given maximum opportunities. That's why in this year's National Cup, Hanoi women's football has added Hanoi 2, a team composed entirely of players under 20 years old, to gain experience. This approach has initially proven effective, as in the 5th-place match, Hanoi 2, under the leadership of former central defender Dao Thi Mien, unexpectedly defeated Than Khoang San Vietnam 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regular time. This is considered the most pleasant surprise of this year's tournament.
Providing maximum support, nurturing, and investing in young players, alongside placing trust in experienced key players, is the direction Hanoi women's football is taking. And despite positive signs, the journey to regain its number one position in women's football still has many issues to address. Fans still want to see the image of a Hanoi women's team that "won every game," imposing its playing style on every opponent in domestic leagues, as it did more than 20 years ago.
Hanoi 1 women's team receives a reward of 100 million VND.
Immediately after the victory against Thai Nguyen T&T, the leaders of the Hanoi Sports Training and Competition Center and the Hanoi Football Department of the Center congratulated Hanoi 1 and announced a reward of 100 million VND for reaching the final of the 2026 National Cup. In addition, goalkeeper Van Lien received a separate reward of 10 million VND for her outstanding performance in the penalty shootout.
The 2026 National Cup final between Hanoi 1 and Ho Chi Minh City 1 will take place on May 27th at Thai Nguyen Stadium.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bong-da-nu-ha-noi-tim-lai-vi-the-941899.html
![[Image] Close-up view of the interchange connecting the two expressways and Long Thanh Airport.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/05/25/1779703378210_ndo_br_z7863716673926-224453a31600126cce10622af6290afd-4549-jpg.webp)
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