By: Cedelf P. Tupas
NATIONAL football team star Stephan Schrock is looking forward to rejuvenating his club career at AFC Cup-bound Ceres-La Salle following his surprising move from German second division side Greuther Furth.
The dynamic midfielder has spent his entire career in Germany playing for his boyhood club, Furth, as well as Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt in the top-flight before deciding to move to the Philippines.
Speaking for the first time since his deal was announced by the Bacolod-based club, the 29-year-old said he’s looking forward to a new challenge with Ceres where he will team up with fellow Fil-Germans Patrick Reichelt, Manny Ott and Kevin Ingreso.
“I’m very happy,” Schrock, who has scored four goals in 22 international matches, told the Inquirer. “I can’t wait to start.”
The transfer to Ceres will also make it easier for Schrock to represent the Azkals as he no longer needs to travel from Europe for the matches.
Perhaps the only thing that has made the move difficult is being away from his family, Schrock said.
“It will be hard during the first part of my stay, but they will follow in April,” said Schrock who has a 3-year-old son with wife Pina.
Schrock is undoubtedly the most high profile signing of the off-season having just played in the German first division a couple of seasons ago. In fact, Schrock was responsible for marking French star Franck Ribery when Frankfurt played German champions Bayern Munich in 2014.
Schrock will also play for Ceres in the UFL Cup which begins Feb. 6 at Rizal Memorial Stadium. Ceres opens its campaign in the AFC Cup on Feb. 23 against Malaysian side Selangor at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.
UFL general manager Rely San Agustin believes Schrock’s presence will help raise the level in the club competition.
“I hope I do,” said Schrock, hoping his presence will boost club football in the country. “You know how much I love Philippine football.”
sa mga nagsasabi na yung decision ni Shrock to play for Ceres ay mag downgrade ang level ng laro niya.
ReplyDeletesa toto lang we can't compare to the basketball culture of common pinoy thinking na pag ang isang Fil-Foreigner ay naglaro sa isang domestic pro league ay baba ang kanyang laro.
ang kaibahan po kasi sa Fiba-asia and their umbrella basketball associations (sbp) ay walang control sa mga domestic league like PBA na kumikilos independtly and hindi naka naka synchronize ang kanilang schedule sa international playdate ng fiba.
samantalang sa football yung mga FA under AFC ay may direct control sa mga domestic leagues sa Asia.
kaya talagang mababano ang Fil-am players sa PBA bukod sa fiba Hagop rule na before reaching 15 yrs old ay dapat may local passport na...ang mga PBA clubs ay hindi expose sa mga club competitions overseas and walang version ng tunay na Champions league ang Fiba-Asia.
kaya kay Shrock malaking advantage pa rin sa kanya ang maglaro sa UFL,AFC Cup and playing for Azkals...
kahit sabihin pang minnows ang mga Clubs sa AFC Cup ay still international competition pa rin yan may mga European,African and latino reinforcement din bawat asian clubs
The hell you talking about? lol!
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