MANILA—Filipino football standout Stephan Schrock has been all over the world, travelling with his German second division club Greuther Furth and playing at youth level for Germany.
But there was one trip five years ago that defined him and made his decision to wear the Philippine colors easier.
Schrock visited his mother’s hometown of Parang, North Cotabato, and quickly realized how lucky he was with his comfortable life in Germany.
“I saw that life was hard in the Philippines,” the 24-year-old Schrock as he recalled his experience.
“There was a military checkpoint after every kilometer and I remember Nanay waking me up as I slept in the jeepney as military checked our passports. I couldn’t go out as often as I want because they said it was dangerous,” Schrock said.
At that time, Schrock said he had little knowledge about football in the Philippines.
But the trip showed Schrock the other side of his world. He may have a “Bad Boy” reputation, partied along with his teammates and even with tennis superstar Roger Federer in Dubai, owned a number of luxury cars in Germany—three of which he crashed—and lived life in the fast lane as a certified sports star, even when he was a teenager in his hometown of Nuremberg.
He even would get into barroom brawls in the past.
But a piece of him always longed to find a special way to show his love for his mother and help the country.
When the International Football Federation removed the age limit to switch countries for players from youth levels, Schrock got his chance.
But nothing materialized when he went to Manila three years ago and attempted to acquire a Philippine passport during the time of PFF president Mari Martinez. Today, Schrock doesn’t want to delve on the details of that trip.
Schrock, upon the prodding of manager Dan Palami, who had gotten in touch with him when he was in Germany to look for a coach for the Azkals early this year, finally secured his passport in March.
But the 24-year-old pro, who was then the youngest player to debut for his club six years ago, was still in crutches at that time, still nursing a knee injury and his long-awaited debut would have to wait for six months.
He was worth the wait. Three games into his international career for the Philippines and with his “Nanay” watching from the grandstand at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the German delivered the lone goal in the Azkals’ battling 1-2 defeat to Kuwait in the second round of World Cup Qualifying.
Schrock rarely scores, opting to set up teammates for opportunities and stifling attacking players. But when he scores, its something worth watching over and over again on YouTube.
His last goal for Greuther Furth came when he attacked from the backline, eluded two defenders on the right flank, faked before firing a well-placed shot in the bottom corner.
Schrock noted that his goal was awarded as one of the best of the season in his club.
Against Kuwait, he turned something out of nothing.
Finding plenty of space after Chieffy Caligdong had done so well to keep the attack alive on the left flank, Schrock struck an unstoppable shot from 25 yards out to the top corner in what was easily one of the most sensational goals that the country has seen.
A year ago, the Philippines scoring against a Middle East powerhouse like Kuwait would have seemed unthinkable. But Schrock, who never lacked belief in his team, rewarded the Azkals with a goal that was only well-deserved for the way they had pushed the Kuwaitis to the limit.
Promised goal
Photo by Fritz Gerald Dalida
Incidentally, Schrock had promised that he would score a goal for the Philippines when he arrived Tuesday night.
His devotion for the country isn’t limited on the pitch. He has a tattoo on the map of the Philippines in his arm.
Schrock had taken up boxing as a kid, but was talked out of it because of the brutal nature of the sport.
There’s no denying though of Schrock’s competitive fire.
His quick temper was in full display against Sri Lanka when he confronted an opposing player and almost head-butted him and Schrock said controlling his emotions is as important as him making incisive passes and scoring in a game.
But its also this fiery demeanor that also gives him another competitive edge.
As a sought-after talent as a teenager, many clubs, particularly from the top flight in Germany tried to lure Schrock away from Furth, his boyhood club.
But he declined all of the offers—some reportedly much more lucrative.
“I want to help my club reach the first division,” said Schrock, noting that his team fell just one point short of clinching a playoff berth for the Bundesliga last season.
The decision of Schrock to soldier on in a smaller club speaks volumes of his loyalty, much like his decision to suit up to a virtual nobody in the football world like the Philippines.
And speaking of loyalty: Early this year, Schrock tied the knot with his longtime childhood sweetheart—after proposing in the Eiffel Tower.
That loyalty—and more—is something that will always endear this “Bad Boy” to the Filipino football fan.