Stephan Schrock: 11-year PH career —THE AZKALS PHOTO
As far as the immediate future of the Philippine Azkals is concerned, Stephan Schrock’s surprise return from a brief retirement from international football may not be a one-off.
“We need people going into the qualifiers who have the substance to go through these games and he’s one of them,” returning coach Michael Weiss said after fielding Schrock for the final 20 minutes of the Azkals’ 1-0 friendly win over Nepal last Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Schrock saw action five months after announcing that he had played his final game in an Azkals shirt.
Schrock was given some sort of a victory toss after the Azkals’ final match in the Asean Football Federation Mitsubishi Electric Cup in a sendoff gesture.
Schrock had actually since been focused on his new role as part of the Azkals coaching staff while overseeing the Azkals Development Academy.
But a number of pullouts in the ongoing international window have prompted the Azkals to bring back the 36-year-old midfielder for the international window, which also serves as early preparation for the World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers in November.
“With more fitness, he can be a game changer in crucial games, in crucial situations,” said Weiss. “I don’t consider him as a starter anymore but he can still help us, maybe about 45 minutes in big games with his vision, with his speed, with his surprising moves.”