Czech goalkeeper obtains Vietnamese citizenship

The 31-year-old keeper for V. League club CAHN, whose birth name is Filip Nguyen, has become Nguyen Filip in his Vietnamese avatar.

He wrote on his Facebook page: “I’m happy to announce that I have become a Vietnamese citizen. Thank you all for your support.”

He is now likely to get called up by coach Philippe Troussier for the national team for the upcoming training camp, and might even get his name in the preliminary list for the Asian Cup to be played next month. The deadline for submitting the list is Dec. 12.

Born to a Vietnamese father and Czech mother, Filip graduated from Sparta Prague’s youth football academy and played for the club before moving to other domestic clubs like Bydzov, Vlasim, Slova Liberec, and Slovacko.

He was voted the best keeper in the Czech First League in the 2018-19 season.

He had expressed his desire to represent Vietnam while still playing in the Czech Republic. But the naturalization process was not simple since he was still playing abroad.

After signing for CAHN earlier this year and living in Vietnam, his Vietnamese improved, and the naturalization process moved quickly.

Filip was called up to the Czechian national team but was not put in any game, and so is eligible to represent Vietnam.

Troussier has for long had an eye on Filip, and watched several of CAHN’s games.