Filip Nguyen - "the most expensive goalkeeper in V-League": I always want to have a connection with Vietnam

Congratulations on winning the championship with CAHN Club after 20 rounds with 38 points. Have two months playing in the V-League left you with positive impressions?

- I am happy with the championship title and excited about what is happening at the moment. CAHN Club has excellent players, they always try and make efforts. The environment of this team is also very ideal and suitable for a player with convenient facilities, full equipment from gym, training ground to dining room, resting area... Especially, the attention of Vietnamese fans makes me emotional.

Actually, I had already imagined the attention that Vietnamese fans would give me. Before coming to play football in Vietnam, every time I posted a photo on social media, I saw a lot of people commenting and interacting. However, when I arrived here, I was still surprised when during the training sessions, the fans cheered very enthusiastically. They came to chat, take souvenir photos. Some fans tried to touch us. During the training sessions before the match, there were always a lot of spectators coming to the stadium to watch.

I think enthusiasm is a very necessary "nutrient" for every player - he will see that people care and love him, so he has the motivation to develop.

How did CAHN Club contact you? How long did the contract negotiation process take to make you the most valuable player in V-League as you are now?

- Around January this year, the CAHN Club's leadership approached my father. He talked to me about this opportunity, and that's why I decided to come back.

Actually, I don't know and don't care whether my contract is the most valuable in V-League or not, I don't like comparing this contract with other contracts. Each player has his own path, my progress is the accumulation of experience from international matches in Europa League, being in the Czech Republic national team as well as previous matches in the Czech Republic National Championship.

In 2016, you returned to Vietnam for a trial at Thanh Hoa Club. However, you were unable to join the team due to problems with naturalization procedures. This time, when you returned, was your mood much different?

- A long time has passed with many changes. 7 years ago, I only had a 10-day trial at Thanh Hoa Club. At that time, the facilities and training environment could not compete with CAHN at the present time.

As for naturalization, I honestly do not understand the processes and procedures. However, I feel that this is the most appropriate time for me to return to Vietnam. I have a lot of experience competing in major European tournaments such as the Europa League, with certain achievements, I believe I can take advantage of that experience while competing in the V-League, thereby contributing to national football.

After a short time playing football with your teammates at CAHN Club, which player impressed you the most in terms of technical skills? Do you often share your playing experiences with them?

- Quang Hai's dribbling and passing ability is admirable. Actually, not only Quang Hai, I am impressed with the ball control and individual technique of the players in the team. They generally have good ball playing skills.

Because my Vietnamese is limited, I have to admit that I have not been able to converse much. Sometimes, I have given some small advice. They have listened and appreciated it.

Having played in the National Championship of the Czech Republic - a country with a much more developed football than Vietnam, when playing in the V-League, you will surely have certain comparisons?

- Comparing two different tournaments is very difficult. As I just said, Vietnamese players have very good individual skills, while in the Czech Republic tournament, they play more as a team, tactically and move more. This is also understandable due to the impact of the weather, when the temperature on the field in Vietnam is quite hot compared to the Czech Republic.

Another factor that cannot be ignored is that the grass field at V-League is quite ugly - something that many players have complained about?

- That's right. For example, the grass at Nam Dinh Stadium is too high, while the quality of the field in Da Nang is not good. But objectively speaking, maintaining the grass field in Vietnam is not easy. The climate in Europe makes it much easier for football teams to maintain and take care of the facilities on the field. In my opinion, for each player, adaptation is important.

After achieving impressive results in the Czech National Championship, why do you still intend to return to Vietnam to compete?

- I also think I have had a pretty good journey, but it is time to choose a change. First of all, I have a family and I always want my son to have a connection with Vietnam - the country of which I have half of my blood. I also hope my son will be able to speak Vietnamese, meet his relatives and family. Besides, I want to join the Vietnam national team. Any player, no matter how famous, wants to play for the national team, you certainly know that.

In an interview with the Czech press, you mentioned that you and Mac Hong Quan were discriminated against when playing here? Does this happen often and is that part of the reason why you came to V-League?

- It happens occasionally, but most of the time I am still considered a Czech. Currently, there is a player of Vietnamese origin, Andrej Nguyen (18 years old), who is also performing quite well and is loved by many fans in the national championship of this country. In general, things are worse for black people, I think.

Many people believe that your return to Vietnam will create fierce competition between you and Dang Van Lam (a player returning from Russia) for the goalkeeper position in the national team. Have you met Dang Van Lam and what do you think about this goalkeeper?

- I met Van Lam before the match between CAHN Club and Toperland Binh Dinh Club. Van Lam speaks English quite well, so we could talk easily and openly.

It is true that many people compare me with Van Lam, I know that. However, I think the important problem is not me or Van Lam, but more importantly the quality of the Vietnam national team in general. If I complete the naturalization procedure, I believe Van Lam will be very happy. Comparison and competition are always necessary in football, it will push us to develop. Whether Lam or I play officially is not important, more important is what we will contribute to the team, how to help the team play better.

How did you get into football? Why did you choose the goalkeeper position - one of the toughest positions on the field?

- You're right. I also think the goalkeeper is the most difficult position on the field because everyone will blame the goalkeeper if the team scores (laughs).

Actually, I didn’t choose the goalkeeper position from the beginning. When I was young, the goalkeeper of the team I played for didn’t want to join the training anymore, the coach of the team wanted me to try playing this position and I played quite well. From then on, I stuck with the goalkeeper position and over time, I think I made the right decision.

What place does football have in your life?

- It's both a hobby and a job. I always try to enjoy every game, every training session and every time I play this sport . If I didn't become a goalkeeper, I really don't know what I would do. Football also makes my life easier.

During your time playing in the Czech Republic, you had already proven your talent at Slovan Liberec, but then had to move to Slovacko on loan before signing a permanent contract with the club. There must have been some difficulties for you at your old club?

- The problem came from the coach of Slovan Liberec, he did not trust me and that is why I was bought by Slovacko. However, every challenge is an opportunity, I had a great time and a quite successful playing process at Slovacko after that.

Also because of his important marks, Slovacko Club refused to let him move to V-League in 2022. Looking back on this, do you have any regrets?

- I have no complaints or anger. The Slovacko club management could not let me go without finding a replacement, I stayed at the club and had a good time. I also always believed that there would be new offers from Vietnam soon, and in fact I am now in the V-League.

You used to be part of the Czech Republic national team but never had the chance to play. Does that disappoint you?

- Of course I hoped to play for the national team, as I said earlier, that is what every player desires. At some point, I almost had hope of appearing in the Czech Republic national team. Saying I was not disappointed would be a lie, but that is a story of the past. From a current perspective, I see that everything happens for a reason, when one door closes, another one opens. Thanks to that, I have the opportunity to play for the Vietnam national team in the near future.

The Czech Republic is a country that has achieved much success in football with many great players such as Petr Cech, Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky... How do people here love this sport?

- Czech people like football but not as much and not as passionately as in Vietnam. It is a fact that if you do not play for the two biggest teams in the national championship, no one will care about you. In general, I like the passion in Vietnam.

Because of that, perhaps the income of players in V-League will also be superior to that of the National Championship in the Czech Republic?

- It can be said that football in Vietnam has a higher reputation than in the Czech Republic. If we do not consider the total income, the salaries of the top 3 teams in the Czech Republic can be equivalent to the salaries of players in Vietnam. In addition, if you play well, you will get extra bonuses when you win matches or big tournaments like Europa League.

Looking back at your time playing in the Czech Republic, when were you most successful and when were you most disappointed?

- I think the most sublime moment in my career was when I played in the Europa League, Europa Conference, besides winning the national championship with Slovacko Club. The most disappointing moment for me was when my contract with Sparta Praha ended. There was a time when I considered whether to continue playing football but at the lowest level and gradually move up the ranks or to do a normal job. Luckily, I still chose football and continued until now.

Your father must be very happy when you return to Vietnam to compete?

- My father is one of the biggest reasons why I returned to Vietnam. When he called me to inform me that everything was completed, he was very emotional and cried with happiness. This return made us closer and understand each other better, after the previous separation. We met regularly, he was almost like an interpreter, manager and helped me negotiate and arrange work. Whenever I needed anything, I could call my father for help, whether it was about housework, club-related issues or even other small things.

We still speak Czech, but I have now found myself a Vietnamese teacher. This person is fluent in both Vietnamese and Czech, and is currently teaching Vietnamese to me and my wife. Since I really want to speak Vietnamese, I will try my best in the future.

Your wife – Atena Nguyen has also moved to Vietnam after a period of separation? How will your family start a new life?

- My wife has only been in Vietnam for a short time so it is still too early to judge. The most important thing is that my family is together now, before that we had to be apart for more than a month, I could only see my wife and children via Facetime.

Atena is happy with what is going on, she will arrange everything in the house to make it as comfortable as possible. We are also planning to apply for our son to attend a nearby kindergarten. Currently, he cannot speak English or Vietnamese, so it will be quite difficult in the beginning. However, this will be a good development for him, helping him adapt to many living environments.

Many people confess that they experience "culture shock" when they return to live in Vietnam. Do you experience that when communication habits, cuisine, and lifestyle here are somewhat different?

- I think I am an adaptable person so I don't fall into this situation. Currently, I am trying to integrate and communicate with my teammates. They are friendly, positive and help me a lot. Some of them can communicate in English and are happy to chat with me.

Besides, my wife and I both love Vietnamese cuisine. When we were in the Czech Republic, we often cooked Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls, bun cha... During the holidays, my father still took me to meet relatives and friends in the Czech Republic. Since my wife is also half Vietnamese, this was even easier.

What do you usually do outside of training with the team?

- My life revolves around football and family. Being with my wife and children makes me happier than anything else. Whenever I have free time, I often spend time playing with my children and walking the dog. He is over 2 years old, very smart and mischievous. In the future, when we have time, maybe we will go on a trip.

In the near future, when the naturalization process is successful, do you plan to live permanently in Vietnam?

- It is very difficult to answer at this time, we have only been here for two months, and before that we spent 30 years in the Czech Republic. This also depends on the contract with CAHN Club, after 3 years, whether they want me to stay or not. I do not think too far into the future, I only know that I am happy and satisfied right now.

Thanks for sharing!

Source: https://danviet.vn/filip-nguyen-thu-mon-dat-gia-nhat-v-league-toi-luon-muon-minh-co-su-ket-noi-voi-viet-nam-20230901181648102.htm