Photo by Tristan Rafael Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
NATIONAL coach Thomas Dooley believes Stephan Schrock’s move to play club football in the country with Ceres La Salle will benefit the Azkals in future tournaments.
Just two seasons removed from playing in the German Bundesliga, the 29-year-old midfielder made his debut in Ceres-La Salle’s 2-1 win over Loyola Meralco last Sunday in the UFL Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Although he failed to score, Schrock made an impact with his pace and creativity.
Watching from the VIP box, Dooley welcomed Schrock’s decision to play his club football in the Philippines, saying the Azkals can now maximize the midfielder’s presence.
“For us as a team, its better,” Dooley told the Inquirer. “He doesn’t have those 18 hours (of travel) on his legs before (Azkals) games. Now he gets used to the climate. He gets used to his teammates a little bit more.”
Schrock is on-loan from his German second division club, Greuther Furth, until August as he tries to help Ceres’ campaigns in the AFC Cup and in the UFL.
“I think it’s better to play over here than fighting over there (in Germany) just to get minutes,” said Dooley.