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| The joy of the Tam Hiep female players celebrating their championship. Photo: Hoang Dung |
Exciting and full of surprises
One afternoon in mid-October, excitement ran high at the football field in Phu Loi Village. Thousands of fans lined the sidelines, eagerly following every tackle and contest for the ball as Phu Loi faced Tam Hiep in the final of the First Binh Dien Commune Women’s Football Tournament 2026.
At the 20th minute, Phuong Thao (No. 9) put Phu Loi ahead with a beautiful chip shot. Cheers erupted across the field, accompanied by gasps of admiration from the crowd at the stunning goal. But football is always full of surprises. Determined and relentless in the second half, Bich Phuong and Bich Thuy scored in turn to lead Tam Hiep to a successful comeback, securing a 2–1 victory and the championship title.
Held from October 1 to 16, the tournament featured nine teams: Hong Tien 1, Tam Hiep, Tan Hoa, Phu Loi, Tan Quang, An Thuan, Hong Tien 2, Huong Binh, and Binh Thanh. The teams were divided into two groups and competed in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals.
Although it was held for the first time, the tournament delivered plenty of surprises. Hong Tien 2 lost their opening match to An Thuan but bounced back with consecutive wins over Tan Quang and Huong Binh to secure a place in the semifinals. Binh Thanh, meanwhile, faced the risk of elimination after drawing three consecutive matches but overcame the pressure in their final group-stage game to finish top of their group.
Meanwhile, Tam Hiep demonstrated consistency with a well-balanced squad and thorough preparation. Despite losing 3–0 to Tam Hiep in the group stage, Phu Loi still made it to the final thanks to their cohesive teamwork and enthusiastic support from the home crowd. The teams’ contrasting journeys added to the drama of the tournament, giving spectators a wide range of emotions.
While the players brought excitement and intensity to the matches on the field, the spectators played a vital role in creating the lively atmosphere of Binh Dien’s women’s football festival. From the group stage to the final, their enthusiastic support and hoarse cries of encouragement became a source of motivation, giving the players an extra boost in every match.
In grassroots football, the most rewarding moments are about more than just spectacular plays or convincing victories. They are also about the shared excitement as everyone watches a shot on goal, the disappointment when the home team misses an opportunity, and the eruption of joy at the final whistle. Once off the pitch, the intensity of competition gives way to smiles, handshakes, and words of encouragement exchanged between players and supporters from both teams.
According to Nguyen Tien Giang, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Binh Dien Commune Party Committee, the tournament was not only a meaningful activity celebrating the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam Women's Union (October 20, 1930–October 20, 2026), but also helped strengthen ties among residents of different villages, particularly as the locality had recently reorganized its 22 villages into nine.
Supporting and listening
For the tournament to run smoothly, the players’ passion and the fans’ support were essential, but they alone were not enough. Two weeks before the opening match, the villages had already drawn up player rosters and organized training sessions. The teams included school and university students, as well as members of local women’s associations. Although all the coaches were amateurs, they shared a passion for football and a solid understanding of the game. Selected by their respective villages, they worked alongside the women, guiding them through training and competition.
Among the nine participating teams, Hong Tien 2 stood out as a special case. As a village facing economic hardship, with most of its residents belonging to ethnic minority groups, the team faced considerable challenges in bringing players together, organizing training sessions, providing proper nutrition, and covering other expenses.
Thanks to the team’s determination and support from generous individuals and businesses, Hong Tien 2 did more than simply take part in the tournament—they advanced to the semifinals. Although they did not make it to the final, the players’ resilience in the face of hardship and their wholehearted commitment on the pitch earned praise from both their opponents and spectators.
Mr. Nguyen Tien Giang, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Binh Dien Commune Party Committee, said that through fundraising and coordination efforts by local authorities, the Fatherland Front, and mass organizations, all nine teams received practical support from individuals, businesses, agencies, and organizations, with each team receiving between VND 50 million and VND 100 million. The organizing committee also received contributions in the form of funding, in-kind donations, and logistical support to help run the tournament and present the awards.
During the tournament, unfavorable weather conditions left the playing field in Phu Loi muddy, affecting the quality of play and the safety of the players. The organizing committee received feedback from spectators and teams, surveyed possible options for the playing field, and consulted with the refereeing team and local leaders. Based on these consultations, adjustments were made and the playing field was improved in a timely manner, allowing the semifinal and final matches to take place successfully.
The Binh Dien Women’s Football Tournament has come to a close, but its value extends far beyond the results on the field. In addition to providing an exciting and rewarding sporting experience, the tournament demonstrated the effectiveness of mobilizing social resources for physical education and sports (PE and sports), from raising funds and encouraging community participation to listening to residents’ feedback and addressing challenges during the organization of the event. These experiences will also help Binh Dien continue to maintain and develop community sporting events, where the joy of competition goes hand in hand with stronger bonds among residents of its villages.