North Western teams dominated the opening stages of the 2011 National Women’s Football Championship which kicked off over the weekend at the University of Battambang field.

The host team, comprised of members of the locally based organisation SALT Academy, set a cracking pace with a 17-0 thrashing of Takeo on Saturday and carried that assailing form into their next game against Banteay Meanchey, who had beaten Kratie 8-0 in their opening game. Battambang beat their neighbours 4-2 in a match they totally dominated on Sunday.

A fourth minute goal by Dep Panida was quickly added to by Thi Nait to give the Battambang side a 2-0 advantage. Banteay Meanchey’s guest player from Kampong Chhnang, Him Sopeak, pulled one back before Hout Kimhong nailed the third for the home side.

A 66th minute freekick by Banteay Meanchey’s Oeum Lun was deflected into her own goal by Kimhong, but within ten minutes she made ample amends for her mistake by ramming home Battambang’s fourth, a stunning 30-yard drive.

The girls from Siem Reap were also on a high after registering two thumping victories of 18-0 and 10-0 against Club Women’s Football Development and Sihanoukville respectively, as well as an efficient 2-0 win over Kandal.

In other matches from the weekend, Kandal beat Sihanoukville 15-0, Sihanoukville beat CWFD 2-0, and Kratie beat Takeo 2-1.

The eight-team tournament, co-sanctioned by the Football Federation of Cambodia and featuring 11-a-side matches of 40-minute halves, has already found it’s candidates for tomorrow’s semifinals.

Battambang face Kandal, while Siem Reap take on Banteay Meanchey in a repeat of last year’s final. Winners of the semis will progress to Friday’s final.