Goalkeeper Nguyen Filip has withdrawn from Vietnam’s national team for the March FIFA Days, citing family reasons. The team is currently preparing for two upcoming matches against Cambodia and Laos.

Shortly after head coach Kim Sang Sik announced his 26-player squad, Nguyen Filip unexpectedly pulled out to return to the Czech Republic, where a family member is experiencing health issues.

To fill the gap, Coach Kim Sang Sik has promoted goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien from the U22 team. Born in 2003 and standing 1.91m tall, Trung Kien is regarded as a promising young talent. He was also one of three goalkeepers in the squad that won the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

Despite this change, Vietnam’s national team still retains three goalkeepers: Dinh Trieu, Van Viet, and Trung Kien. Among them, Dinh Trieu is expected to be the first-choice keeper.

Vietnam will begin their training camp on March 11 in Binh Duong, where they will have over a week to prepare for their friendly against Cambodia on March 19.

Six days later, Coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad will face Laos in the final round of Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Both matches will take place at Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong.

Dai Nam