The truth about Nguyen Filip wanting to leave Vietnam to play in Japan

Trouble surrounds Nguyen Filip

Despite winning the first title with the Vietnamese team when successfully conquering the AFF Cup 2024, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip did not have a memorable tournament. He was the main goalkeeper in 2 group stage matches (against Indonesia and the Philippines), then was a reserve for Dinh Trieu from the semi-finals onwards.

According to coach Kim Sang-sik, Nguyen Filip was not selected due to language issues. According to the Vietnam team's coaching staff, Nguyen Filip is a good goalkeeper, but has limitations in communication and command. Therefore, the team chose goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, who has better communication skills, for the starting position.

Goalkeeper Nguyen Filip

However, the trouble is not over for Nguyen Filip. In recent days, the Vietnamese press has translated an interview with the 1992-born goalkeeper from the iDNEs newspaper, which includes the following passage: "I want to try my hand at a better tournament in Asia, like Japan or Korea. I hope to compete in the Asian championship and return to the Czech Republic when I finish my career."

Nguyen Filip's statement made many people wonder: "Has sitting on the bench at the AFF Cup 2024 made Filip no longer want to contribute to Vietnam?"

However, according to Thanh Nien Newspaper's investigation, Nguyen Filip did indeed answer like that, but the story was misunderstood because it was placed in the wrong context.

The above interview was conducted by Nguyen Filip with the Czech press on December 15, right after the 1-0 victory of the Vietnamese team against Indonesia (Filip was the starting goalkeeper). Thus, there is no story that Filip was dissatisfied because he did not get to play and said he wanted to go to Korea or Japan to try his luck. Because at the time of the interview, he was still the number one choice of the national team.

In addition, Filip Nguyen's answer was in response to the question: "Do you want to play in a better tournament in Asia like Japan or Korea?". Filip Nguyen said "yes, if possible".

The desire to play in a high-level tournament is normal and if asked, Nguyen Filip will consider it. This is a common desire of every player. This is different from the goalkeeper born in 1992 wanting to leave Vietnam immediately.

Goalkeeper Nguyen Filip will play in 2 matches at AFF Cup 2024

Immediately after the AFF Cup 2024, Nguyen Filip did not make any statements to the press. He returned to CAHN Club to compete in the ASEAN Club Championship and V-League. In the match against Kaya FC of the Philippines on January 9, Nguyen Filip and his team won 2-1 away.

Nguyen Filip wants to stay with Vietnam for a long time

At the age of 33, Nguyen Filip's career is not long. He only has about 3 or 4 years left to play and it is not difficult to understand if Filip wants to reach a new destination. However, that does not mean he is... bored with the Vietnamese football environment and wants to leave.

Just like Vietnamese players always want to go abroad, leaving to choose a better football background is very normal. The important thing is that no matter where they play, players always look towards the national team, wanting to contribute to the flag and colors.

The press "digging up" what Filip answered last year accidentally created a misunderstanding that being a reserve at the AFF Cup 2024 made this goalkeeper change his mind. That is an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Sharing with Thanh Nien Newspaper, goalkeeper Nguyen Filip affirmed that choosing who to play as the main player is the head coach's right. "I respect the head coach. Whether I play as a main player or a reserve player, I am professional and try my best. I understand the coach's difficulty in deciding who to choose and who to leave out, but I understand that everything he does is only to bring the best results for the team," the former goalkeeper of Slovan Liberec Club confided.

Importantly, Nguyen Filip is enjoying life in Vietnam. He brought his wife and children here to live, exercises every day, and goes shopping and cooking with his wife at the supermarket. Filip likes Vietnamese dishes like banh cuon and pho, wants to wear ao dai, make banh chung, and buy peach blossoms for Tet.

"Life in Vietnam is pleasant and peaceful, not as bustling as in the Czech Republic. I am enjoying every day here," the 33-year-old goalkeeper revealed to Thanh Nien Newspaper.

Nguyen Filip also wants to contribute to Vietnamese football after retirement, such as participating in youth training and becoming a goalkeeper coach. At CAHN Club, Filip is highly appreciated for his exemplary and professional character, as he regularly practices extra, improves his physical strength and reflexes to maintain his competitive spirit.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thuc-hu-chuyen-nguyen-filip-muon-roi-viet-nam-de-sang-nhat-ban-thi-dau-185250111111900037.htm