The Vietnamese FA are looking to draft Vietnamese-Czech goalkeeper Filip Nguyen into the national team, according to recent reports.
Nguyen, who was born in the Czech Republic, currently plays for Slovan Liberec in the nations’ top division and is eligible to represent Vietnam.
The goalkeeper has been highly rated by the Vietnamese FA, who started his naturalization process in July 2019. According to this report by the Vietnamese media outlet Sports442, if his naturalization is successful, Nguyen will get the opportunity to represent the nation of his heritage during the next round of 2022 World Cup Qualifying in October-November.
His naturalization process has become more pressing as first-choice goalkeeper Dang Van Lam may not be released by his Thai club Muangthong United for this years’ AFF Suzuki Cup in December.
Additionally, Van Lam’s dip in form saw him temporarily replaced as the Kirin’s first choice by local goalkeeper Somporn Yos just before the enforced break due to COVID-19. Due to this, the Vietnamese coaching staff could see the added competition as a benefit for the squad during this current moment.
