U-23 Azkal Matt Hartmann leaves squad amidst SEAG bid

U-23 Azkals captain Matthew Hartmann has left the squad midway through their Southeast Asian Games bid.

After playing two games with the team, Hartmann went home to the Philippines and will skip the remaining games against Laos, Brunei and Myanmar.

The staff of teammates Younghusbands confirmed that Hartmann trained with the Loyola Meralco Sparks, his team in the United Football League, this Friday morning.

The Sparks also played a tune up match against the college varsity team of De La Salle University at the Rizal Football Stadium.

According to sports reporter Rick Olivares, DLSU coach Hans Smit was enraged with Hartmann for playing too aggressively.

“There were harsh words exchanged with some locals wanting to gang up on him. According to Coach Hans some of the players wanted to pick a fight in the parking lot," said Olivares.

A football fan also spotted him at the Powerplant mall Friday afternoon.

"Thought I just saw Matt Hartmann here at Powerplant, but didn't think it could possibly be him. Then I opened Twitter," tweeted Marco Javelosa.

"He's definitely in chill mode. Tank, shorts, flip-flops," he added.

Hartmann reportedly missed practice the past two days and was not included in the lineup for Friday's match against Laos.

His brother Mark, although still with the team in Jakarta, was also not placed in the starting 11.

As of posting, it is not yet clear whether Matthew quit or was sent off by Coach Michael Weiss.

Hartmann hit the accidental header into Vietnam's goal to tie their opening game at 1-1. The Philippines would not be able to recover after that own goal, eventually losing 3-1.

In the match against Timor Leste last Monday, the skipper was taken out of the game and substituted by local talent Neckson Leonora.

Coach Weiss already appointed Manny Ott and Jason De Jong to replace him as co-captains. - OMG, GMA News