Merchas Doski is eager to face his former teammate Filip Nguyen when Iraq meets Vietnam in the group stage of the 2023 Asian Cup.
"I'm looking forward to playing against Filip Nguyen," Doski told Iraqi Pro Players on December 11. "He's a good friend and a good goalkeeper, but I hope he doesn't play well against Iraq."
Doski and Filip Nguyen have been teammates at the Czech Republic club Slovacko since 2022. In June 2023, Filip Nguyen joined the Hanoi Police. The last time the two met was after Iraq beat Vietnam 1-0 at My Dinh Stadium on November 21, in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup. Filip Nguyen took a photo with Doski and posted it on his personal page with the message "See you in Qatar".
Filip Nguyen (right) met Doski after Vietnam lost 0-1 to Iraq at My Dinh Stadium on November 21. Photo: Instagram/filipng1
Doski revealed that he had talked with Filip Nguyen about life, family and the upcoming match between Iraq and Vietnam at the 2023 Asian Cup. Doski is eager to score for his team. "Scoring against a former teammate will be more special and sweet," said the defender born in 1999.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifier at My Dinh Stadium, Doski played the full 90 minutes against Vietnam. That day, he and the Iraqi team had to wait until the last minute of the second half to enjoy the joy of a goal by Mohanad Ali. Before that, this Slovacko defender also played with the U22 Iraq team to draw 0-0 with U22 Vietnam in the Dubai Cup friendly in March 2022.
The 2023 Asian Cup will take place from January 12 to February 10, 2024 in Qatar. Iraq has ambitions to reach the final when heading to this tournament. In Group D, the Gulf representative is considered capable of overcoming Vietnam and Indonesia, only weaker than Japan. "We are preparing very carefully for the tournament," said Doski. "The whole team is very eager and wants to achieve all goals."
Merchas Doski (in white shirt) competes for the ball with Nguyen Tien Linh. Photo: IFA
Iraq will likely have a stronger squad than when they met Vietnam on November 21, thanks to the presence of former Man United midfielder Zidane Iqbal and 18-year-old striker Montader Madjed - both of whom did not participate in the match at My Dinh last month. Meanwhile, Vietnam's most notable addition is likely to be Filip Nguyen.
After many years of procedures, Filip Nguyen has been granted Vietnamese nationality since December 6 and has just received his citizen identification card on December 11. He completed the procedures one day before the deadline for the preliminary list of 50 players for the 2023 Asian Cup of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). If his name is on the final list of 23 players for the tournament on January 2, Filip Nguyen will have the opportunity to play with Vietnam against Iraq in the final match of Group D on November 24, as well as the two previous matches - against Japan on November 14 and Indonesia on November 19.
Filip Nguyen was born in 1992, his father is Vietnamese and his mother is Czech. He grew up in the famous Sparta Prague training center but did not have an official position in the first team. He moved to play for Novy Bydzov, Vlasim, Slovan Liberec before reaching his peak in Slovacko by competing in the UEFA Conference League. In 2020, Filip Nguyen was called up to the Czech Republic team but has not played any matches.
Hieu Luong
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