Another tour of duty for Schrock

Asian Cup goal scorer Stephan Schrock has put on hold his plans to retire from international football as he joins the Philippine squad in its China training camp that includes a friendly against the Chinese national team on Friday in Guangzhou.

Schrock, who skipped the training camp in Bangkok in March, was among the key returnees from the Asian Cup squad in January as coach Scott Cooper aims to put together the strongest lineup for the World Cup Qualifiers starting September.

Still the main creative player for his club, Ceres-Negros, Schrock will link up with former club teammate Patrick Reichelt, who has been in fantastic form with eight goals so far for Melaka United in the first division in Malaysia.

Schrock had hinted of retirement after scoring against Kyrgyzstan in a 3-1 loss during the group stage of the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. But the midfield dynamo has decided to continue playing for the Azkals as he takes on the leadership mantle of the squad that won’t have longtime players Phil and James Younghusband. The Younghusband brothers have been without a club since last December and were not selected by Cooper.