Czech goalkeeper talks childhood, learning Vietnamese

Filip revealed many things about his personal life in a special interview with Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) ahead of the Asian Cup, his first international tournament with Vietnam’s nationa team.

He mentioned his mother for the first time and said that his parents divorced when he was six. Filip and his sister lived with their mother but still kept contact with their father and visited him often.

“Our father taught us a lot about Vietnamese culture, about remembering your origin, respecting the elderly and caring about one another,” Filip told VFF.

Goalkeeper Filip Nguyen during an interview with the Vietnam Football Federation. Photo by Vietnam Football Federation

Since Filip stayed with his mother, he only spoke Czech. When he came to visit his father, they also communicated in Czech. He regrets not learning Vietnamese when he was young.

“I regret not learning Vietnamese and that became a challenge for me when I returned to Vietnam,” Filip said. But he added that his life could have gone in a different direction had he learned Vietnamese sooner, so the way things are must be his destiny.

Regarding his decision to return to Vietnam to live and play football, Filip said it was the best choice for him and his family.

“I want my son to have a better connection with Vietnam. I want him to learn Vietnamese and the culture here. Going back to Vietnam is also good for my career, as I can play for the national team. That is one of my biggest goals.”

He said that although his mother is sad she has to be away from her son, she still supports his decision.

“She understands that this is the best choice for me and my family. She can come to Vietnam anytime, and I will visit her in Czech sometimes.”

As soon as Filip got called up to the Vietnam national team, he called his mother in the Czech Republic to inform her of the good news.

Filip Nguyen during a training session with Vietnam national football team. Photo by Vietnam Football Federation

Filip also talked about his time working as a delivery man when he was 18 years old. At that time, his contract with Czech club Sparta Praha has just expired, and he stood between two choices: find another job, or continue his football career.

Fortunately, thanks to his mother, who supported him financially and mentally, Filip was able to pursue his passion.

“My mother always believed I could become a professional player, so I didn’t want to quit,” Filip recalled. “I found a job that I could work while still playing football. I joined a club in the third division. I worked in the morning and trained with my teammates in the afternoon.”

After a year and a half of working and playing football, Filip joined a club in the second division. He decided to quit the part-time job to focus on his football career. Two years later, his dream of becoming a professional footballer finally came true when he signed with a club in the first division.

“When I was 16, I started making money from football. I gave it all to my mother. She gave me everything and I want to repay her with what I earn. I want her to have a better life.”

With Vietnam’s top local goalkeeper Dang Van Lam unable to join the national team for the Asian Cup due to injury, Filip is likely to be his replacement at this year’s tournament.

Vietnam will play their first game of the group stage, against mighty Japan, on Jan. 14.