Fil-German doubtful for Azkals

By FRANCIS SANTIAGO


MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-German Stephan Markus Schrock, a right back who plays for the German second division side Greuther Fürth, may likely miss the Philippine Azkals’ build-up for their World Cup qualifying match against Sri Lanka on June 29 because of his commitments with his German squad.

The Philippine Football Federation has lined up a June 7-17 international training camp to prepare the Azkals for the important match, but Schrock who has just recovered from knee injury, said he may not be able to make it because his German club has set up a similar training camp around the same time.

“I don’t know if I can come to the Philippines earlier because my club (in Germany) has a training camp two weeks before we play in Sri Lanka,” Schrock told the Bulletin in an e-mail Wednesday.

“I will discuss the matter in the next few days with the club manager (Dan Palami) and head coach Michael Weiss, so we can clear all details.”

PFF chief Mariano “Nonong” Araneta Jr. said they are looking at Germany as possible venue for their camp.

That after ruling out a Middle East training camp – UAE and Qatar – since football season is on break around the scheduled camp, therefore there won’t be any team to play with.

The 24-year-old Schrock planed in the country while in crutches last month to process his passport.

But he has now recovered, jogging daily to get himself into fighting form.

Manila Bulletin