Hồ Chí Minh City Women Edge Past Ha Noi Women 2-1 in Vietnam Women's National Cup Thriller

In a tightly contested Vietnam Women's National Cup quarter-final on 13 May 2026, Hồ Chí Minh City Women secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ha Noi Women at their home ground. The result keeps the southern side's hopes of silverware alive in the prestigious domestic cup competition.

Match Overview

The match began at a frenetic pace, with both teams eager to stamp their authority early. Hồ Chí Minh City, backed by vocal home support, took the initiative and were rewarded with an early goal. Ha Noi Women, one of the strongest sides in Vietnamese women's football, responded with composed possession football and equalised before the interval. However, a second-half resurgence from the home side proved decisive, as they grabbed the winner midway through the second period.

Key Moments

• Opening goal: Hồ Chí Minh City's attacking midfielder latched onto a through ball in the 12th minute and slotted calmly past the Ha Noi goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
• Ha Noi equaliser: The visitors capitalised on a set piece in the 35th minute, with a towering header from a corner that left the home defence flat-footed.
• Winning strike: The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when Hồ Chí Minh City's striker finished a swift counter-attack, firing low into the far corner to make it 2-1.

Standout Performers

The Hồ Chí Minh City captain delivered a commanding performance in central midfield, breaking up play and launching attacks with accurate long passes. Ha Noi's goalkeeper made several fine saves to keep her side in the game, but could do little about either goal. The match-winner for the home side was a constant menace with her pace and direct running, deservedly earning the plaudits.

Tactical Battle

Hồ Chí Minh City employed a high-pressing game that disrupted Ha Noi's build-up play, particularly in the first 20 minutes. The visitors, however, adapted well and began to find spaces between the lines. After the break, the home side dropped deeper and relied on quick transitions – a tactic that paid off spectacularly for the winning goal. The match highlighted the growing tactical sophistication in Vietnamese women's club football.

Cup and Season Impact

With this victory, Hồ Chí Minh City Women advance to the semi-finals of the Vietnam Women's National Cup, keeping their dream of lifting the trophy alive. For Ha Noi Women, it is a disappointing exit from a competition they have historically dominated. The result also serves as a statement of intent from Hồ Chí Minh City, who are building momentum as the league season progresses.