Filip Nguyen continues to miss the Vietnam National Team in November
Returning to the starting lineup after injury, Filip Nguyen still missed the Vietnam national team roster for November; Coach Kim Sang-sik chose three other goalkeepers, as announced by the VFF.
Despite returning to play for Hanoi Police and starting in the 1-2 loss to Macarthur at the AFC Cup on the afternoon of November 6, goalkeeper Filip Nguyen was not on the list of Vietnam national team players announced by coach Kim Sang-sik for November. According to information from the VFF, the three goalkeepers selected are Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu and Nguyen Van Viet; while Tran Trung Kien was transferred to the U23 Vietnam team to prepare for the SEA Games.
List of goalkeepers and wooden framed picture of Vietnam team
According to VFF, the three goalkeepers selected for the November training session include Dang Van Lam, Nguyen Dinh Trieu and Nguyen Van Viet. Filip Nguyen's absence is surprising because he has recovered from injury and has just returned to play. In addition, Tran Trung Kien was transferred to U23 Vietnam to prepare for the SEA Games, thereby opening up opportunities for the aforementioned group of goalkeepers in the national team.
| Location | Player | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Dang Van Lam | Vietnam National Team November |
| Goalkeeper | Nguyen Dinh Trieu | Vietnam National Team November |
| Goalkeeper | Nguyen Van Viet | Vietnam National Team November |
| Goalkeeper | Tran Trung Kien | U23 Vietnam prepares for SEA Games |
Filip Nguyen's return and injury timeline
This Vietnamese-American goalkeeper had a relapse of his injury in the match between Hanoi Police and Macarthur on October 23 at Hang Day Stadium, causing him to miss nearly two weeks. Although initially expected to need two months to recover, Filip returned early and was able to play in the return match in Australia, starting in the 1-2 defeat on November 6.
Since the AFF Cup 2024, Filip Nguyen's chances in the national team have not been seamless: he missed the March training camp, only returned in the 0-4 loss to Malaysia in June, and then continued to be absent in two matches against Nepal in October. That series of interruptions made his continued absence from the November call-up a notable highlight.
Professional perspective: performance at CAHN and the coaching staff's decision
During Filip's injury, coach Mano Polking gave a chance to young goalkeeper Vu Thanh Vinh (born in 2005). Thanh Vinh left a positive impression with two clean sheets, contributing to two consecutive victories of Hanoi Police in the AFC Cup. On the contrary, in the match Filip returned to the goal, CAHN lost 1-2 to Macarthur.
Filip Nguyen’s absence from the Vietnam national team in November is considered a tactical decision from coach Kim Sang-sik. In the context of competition for the goalkeeper position and the decision to call up depends on the personnel plan for each match, Filip’s experience is still a valuable factor for the next training sessions.
Impact before the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers
The Vietnam national team will face Laos on November 18 in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Finalizing the goalkeeper list early will help the coaching staff stabilize the starting plan and prepare for the competition scenarios, while absent names like Filip Nguyen still have the opportunity to return in the next training sessions if they meet the requirements of physical condition and competition rhythm.
With what he has shown upon his timely return from injury, plus his experience, Filip is still a notable choice in goal in the near future. But at this point, coach Kim Sang-sik's decision reflects his priority for the group of goalkeepers who are performing well according to the coaching staff.