Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) — Stephan Schröck has played his final match for the Philippine Azkals on the international pitch.
It was a bittersweet ending for the 36-year-old midfielder as the Azkals absorbed a 2-1 defeat against Indonesia on Monday in the 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup Monday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
In a span of 11 years and 57 caps for the Azkals, Schröck was a key figure in the national team’s quest to gain global relevance.
The veteran booter said wearing the Azkals jersey was the most precious honor in his career.
“To play for the Azkals is the biggest achievement in a football career. Representing your nation is a really big honor for every football player,” he told CNN Philippines’ Sports Desk Tuesday.
“I’ve done a couple of things back in Europe. I was able to face the who’s who in German club football, but for me the biggest achievement was always to represent the national team,” he said.
Schröck made his Azkals debut in 2011 versus Sri Lanka in the first round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. His first international goal for the national squad came in the second round of that tournament when he scored a late strike in the first half of the Azkals’ second leg match against Kuwait at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Schröck said he sees a handful of Azkals players who may step in and fill his shoes but added it would take some more international exposure to further hone them.
“There’s a couple of young Azkals players that could fit the caliber of being a leader. But it takes time for them to grow into that,” he said.
‘ ‘1’: ‘assetautoplay’: false ‘assetcontrols’: true ‘assetloop’: false ‘assetmuted’: false ‘assetpreload’: ‘auto’ ’embed’: ‘