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Goalkeeper Filip Nguyen (L) learns a Vietnamese custom for good luck before the match against Indonesia from teammate Do Duy Manh. Photos by Facebook/Nguyen Filip |
In a video posted by Filip on social media, captain Do Duy Manh is seen burning a piece of paper, a common Vietnamese custom called "dot via", believed to ward off bad luck. After burning the paper, Manh placed it on the floor and told Filip to jump over it seven times. The Vietnamese captain said "luck" before giving Filip a high-five.
Filip captioned the video: "Thank you, my friend Do Duy Manh, for teaching me how to ‘dot via’. Do you think this would help me become luckier?"
Manh later clarified that the act was not superstitious but intended to relieve Filip’s stress while increasing the bond between teammates and introducing him to Vietnamese cultural practices.
Filip was enthusiastic about his chance to play in Vietnam’s opening match against Laos in the 2024 ASEAN Cup on Monday and even printed the dates and details of the four group-stage matches on his gloves. However, coach Kim Sang-sik opted for goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu, leaving Filip on the bench.
Vietnam went on to win the match, one of only two victories for the team this year. The other was a 3-2 victory over the Philippines during the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, with Dang Van Lam as the starting goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper Filip Nguyen learning the Vietnamese custom of warding off bad luck. Video courtesy of Filip Nguyen
Filip joined the national team in January 2024 after receiving Vietnamese citizenship. His debut came in an unofficial friendly against Kyrgyzstan, where Vietnam lost 1-2. Since then, Filip has played in some tough matches, including losses to Japan (2-4), Indonesia (0-1), and Iraq (2-3) in the 2023 Asian Cup group stage. He also faced defeats to Indonesia (0-1) and Iraq (0-3) in World Cup qualifiers and suffered losses to Thailand (1-2) and a draw with India (1-1) in friendly matches.
Born in 1992, in the Czech Republic to a Czech mother and a Vietnamese father, Filip began his professional career at Sparta Prague before playing for clubs such as Bydzov, Vlasim, Slovan Liberec and Slovacko. He was named the Czech First League’s best goalkeeper for the 2018-2019 season.
Although Filip was called up to the Czech Republic national team, he remained eligible to represent Vietnam as he did not make an official appearance for the European side. His long-standing desire to play for Vietnam was delayed by citizenship challenges, as he had not lived in the country long enough to qualify. However, joining V. League club Cong An Ha Noi in mid-2023 helped Filip secure the support needed to obtain Vietnamese citizenship.
Filip will almost certainly start in Vietnam’s next match at the 2024 ASEAN Cup, against Indonesia on Sunday.
The match will start at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho Province from 8 p.m. (Hanoi time) and will be reported live by VnExpress International.
