National football team captain Stephan Schrock chalked up another milestone as he became the first Filipino player to make the Asean Football Federation’s Best 11 players for 2019.
The Filipino-German midfielder, who plays for three-time Philippines Football League champion Ceres-Negros FC, received the award in a special ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, last Friday night.
“I hope the award makes an impact and I shouldn’t be the last and only [Filipino] player to make it on the list,” Schrock told the Inquirer last Saturday. “Personally, I’m very grateful for the award, the opportunity to display my hard work and skills at the highest stage in Asean.”
Vietnam star Nguyen Quang Hai led the AFF’s Best XI after leading the Golden Stars to the AFF Suzuki Cup title last year.
The 33-year-old Schrock led the Azkals to a fourth semifinal appearance in the AFF Suzuki Cup last year, before captaining the national team in its first AFC Asian Cup appearance in the United Arab Emirates in January.
Just last month, he was awarded the Golden Ball as the top individual player of the Philippines Football League where he spearheaded Ceres’ march to the title—and an unbeaten campaign.
“As much as I love winning individual awards, I would still exchange this for trophies for the team, especially with the Azkals,” Schrock said. “I’m happy to bring the Philippine flag up in the international stage.”