After 11 years of playing for the country, Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock has finally retired.
Schrock played his last game with Philippine Azkals when they faced Indonesia in the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup last night at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Highlighted by 56-game appearances, including six goal conversions and nine assists, Schrock started his Azkals career in 2011 when he played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup first round qualifiers. His biggest moment for the national team was when he led the Philippines in its maiden appearance in the continental stage.
The 36-year-old booter shared coming 11 years for the national team, it’s quite emotional for him. “Not many know what I had to sacrifice, how many million euro contracts I jeopardized to come out for the national team, and how many moments I missed out with my family,” he added.
To recall, Schrock played in the country’s three group stage games in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup where he scored the national men’s football team’s only goal during Azkals’ game against Kyrgyzstan.
“I can assure you in the past 11 years, whenever I was called up and whenever I was able to convince the club in Europe to let me go, I always played my heart out,” Schrock said.IMT Sports
