Nguyen Filip has expressed his happiness and commitment to staying with Hanoi Police FC, where his contract runs until July 2026. Despite speculation about his future, the Czech-Vietnamese goalkeeper remains focused on his career in Vietnam.
During an interview with iDNES in the Czech Republic on December 17, 2024, Filip, who was competing in the ASEAN Cup at the time, was asked about his plans. When questioned about potentially returning to the Czech Republic after living in Hanoi with his family, Filip replied, “If the opportunity arises, I would like to try my skills in a higher-quality league in Asia, like Japan or South Korea. After that, I would return to the Czech Republic to conclude my career. That goal motivates me to keep improving.”
After Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup 2024 victory, Filip’s comments were misinterpreted as dissatisfaction and a desire to leave. These rumors gained traction since he only played two matches during the tournament, against Indonesia and the Philippines, while Nguyen Dinh Trieu was favored as the starting goalkeeper. However, Filip clarified on social media, “There is no sadness here, everyone. It’s just my pre-match routine to stay focused, regardless of whether I play or not.”
A source close to Filip confirmed that he is content in Vietnam and committed to Hanoi Police FC. “Some misunderstand his comments from the Czech interview. While being a substitute can be tough, Filip remains professional and dedicated to the team,” the source explained.
Head coach Kim Sang-sik also addressed the situation in an interview on January 9. He expressed empathy for Filip but justified his decisions based on advice from goalkeeping coach Lee Woon-jae and team strategies. “Filip contributed to the team’s unity by supporting his teammates wholeheartedly, even when not playing. This spirit was crucial for our success,” Kim remarked.
Filip’s language barrier in Vietnamese, which affects his ability to communicate effectively with the defense, was another factor behind the coach’s choices during the tournament.
After the ASEAN Cup triumph, Filip promptly joined Hanoi Police FC for the ASEAN Club Championship. On January 9, he returned to the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the Philippines, where Vietnam had drawn 1-1 with the Philippines during the ASEAN Cup group stage. He helped Hanoi Police FC secure a 2-1 victory against Kaya FC, marking a triumphant return.
Born on September 14, 1992, in the Czech Republic to a Vietnamese father, Filip began his career at Sparta Prague before playing for various Czech clubs, including Liberec and Slovacko. He was named the Best Goalkeeper in the Czech First League for the 2018-2019 season. Despite being called up for the Czech national team, Filip never played, leaving him eligible to represent Vietnam. Since joining Hanoi Police FC in July 2023, he has successfully acquired Vietnamese citizenship, alongside his wife and son.
Filip’s journey with the Vietnam national team began at the 2023 Asian Cup, where early struggles led to eight losses and one draw in his first nine matches. However, he earned his first victory on December 15, 2024, when Vietnam defeated Indonesia 1-0 in the ASEAN Cup group stage, solidifying his contributions to the team’s regional success.
Leave a Reply