Former Azkals captain Rob Gier retires

By Paolo Del Rosario, CNN Philippines

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Former Philippine Azkals captain Rob Gier has decided to finally hang up his boots.
The 35-year-old Filipino defender took to social media on Wednesday (February 17) to announce his retirement and to voice his appreciation for those who contributed to his career.

Gier made his debut for the Philippines in an AFC Challenge Cup qualification fixture against Bhutan on April 14, 2009. The Azkals won 1-0 through Chad Gould.
In 2010, Gier was part of the Philippine side that scored a shock 2-0 victory over Vietnam in the Suzuki Cup to help propel the popularity of the sport in the country.
The robust defender was named captain of the national side after his predecessor Chieffy Caligdong retired in November 2014.
But as Gier’s role in the team diminished with the emergence of younger defenders, the captain’s armband was eventually passed on to Phil Younghusband.
After seven years with the Azkals, Gier retired boasting over 60 appearances and two goals for the national team.
At the domestic level, Gier suited up for Wimbledon, Rushden & Diamonds, Cambridge United, Woking, Aldershot Town, Grays Athletic, and Ascot United in career that has spanned 16 years.

http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/02/17/Azkals-captain-Rob-Gier-retires.html

Gier relishes dual role for PH booters

By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BANGKOK—There’s been little time for Rob Gier to relax the past few weeks.

On the pitch, he’s busy shadowing the finest strikers in Southeast Asia and anchors, and organizes what has been a resolute Philippines backline in the AFF Suzuki Cup here.

In days between games, he spends most of his time in his room, watching videos of the next opponent’s matches on his laptop and creates a dossier of information about the opposing team which he distributes to members of the squad on matchday.

Gier has been performing the dual role since last year when the Azkals reached the second round of World Cup Qualifying.

He relishes the roles and is driven by that fleeting moment of glory.

Winning against the Vietnamese Tuesday felt even more special for Gier as he wore the captain’s armband for the first time.

It made all the hard work, the time away from his wife, Emma, and their year-old daughter Lily, who are both in England, worth it.

“That was one of the highlights of my career, especially with my parents in the crowd,” said the 31-year-old Gier, who once played in the second tier of English football.

Gier’s leadership at the backline has proven crucial for the Azkals.

“Losing the first game kind of focuses your mind,” said Gier, who has 38 appearances with the national side. “You know that if you don’t perform, you could go home. None of us wanted to go home. It was as simple as that.”

Gier said he’s fortunate to be on a side that pulls for each other.

“Many things drive us,” Gier said. “In the huddle before the game, I told the guys, this competition brought me the best experiences of my career. I want to enjoy more of that and I want to enjoy that with these guys. We’re all friends … we all put our bodies on the line for each other. We bleed and sweat for each other.”

Rob Gier is clubless ?

Rob Gier , the fil-English defender for Azkals seem to be clubless . He played some few matches in the beginning of the season for his English Club Ascot United , but has not played any matches or been in the squad in September and October .

AFF Suzuki Cup website named him "unattached" in their presentation of Azkals squad for AFF Suzuki Cup.  Link

Bigger role for defender Rob Gier

By Cedelf P. Tupas

KUWAIT CITY—Central defender Rob Gier has taken a bigger role for the Philippine Azkals.
Beyond his job to provide a calming influence and leadership in the Azkals’ backline, Gier has been officially appointed by Dan Palami as chief European scout for the team.
The 30-year-old Gier, who played in England’s second-tier league early in his career, joined the team here Wednesday, three days before their second round World Cup Qualifying clash with Kuwait.
Gier was unable to join the Azkals in their camp in Bahrain, where they lost two matches to the Bahrain Under-23 Olympic squad, but the Filipino-British standout certainly did his homework for the important match here.
In fact, Gier brought with him his own scouting report on Kuwait and readily offered it to his teammates during the meeting Wednesday at the Movenpick Hotel in Al Bida.
“He has the experience and knowledge for a bigger role in the team,” said team manager Dan Palami of Gier, who has 20 appearances for the national squad.
With fellow Aly Borromeo still awaiting the final clearance from the International Football Federation (Fifa) on his suspension, Gier’s performance on the backline will be vital for the Azkals if they are to stop the formidable Kuwaitis.
Gier, Borromeo, Anton del Rosario and Ray Jonsson, who is expected to fly in today, are the regular members of the Azkals’ back four.
The four players, along with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who is expected to arrive in this oil-rich country by the Persian Gulf, were impressive in the run to the Suzuki Cup semifinals last year where the Azkals gave up just three goals in five matches.

Inquirer.net