Tough Ceres debut ahead for Schrock

Stephan Schrock’s Twitter post.

Former German Bundesliga and national team player Stephan Schrock faces a stern test when he makes his United Football League debut for Ceres-La Salle FC on Feb. 7 at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Acquired by Ceres last week from German second tier side Greuther Furth, Schrock goes up against fellow national team star Phil Younghusband and the Loyola Meralco Sparks in his first match for the AFC Cup-bound side.

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Schrock is the most high-profile signing of the off-season, but Ceres found itself drawn in the tournament’s “Group of Death” along with powerhouse sides Loyola, Global and Green Archers United.

Completing the group are Nomads and Pasargad which both saw action in the second division last season.

The match pitting Ceres, the reigning league champion, and the Sparks caps an explosive kickoff weekend that also sees reigning Cup champion Kaya battling Stallion in Group A on Feb. 7.

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Kaya which nailed an AFC Cup berth for ruling the UFL Cup in August last year, landed in a relatively lighter group that includes four former second division teams.

Kaya manager Paul Tolentino said repeating as champions will be tougher this time.

“It will be harder this time because its the first tournament of the season and everyone wants to win it,” said Tolentino.

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“Group A looks easier which means our knockout round is going to be harder,”

Laos, last year’s second division champion, Agila, Forza and JP Voltes are also in Group A. Forza and Agila clash in the opener on Feb. 6 when JP Voltes also tangles with Laos. Also lined up on opening day is the clash between Pasargad and Global.

Only the Top Four teams from each group will make the knockout rounds.