Another one bites the dust.
A few days after Simone Rota announced his knee injuries, another member of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team (Azkals) faces a long hiatus out of the game.
Ceres Football Club and Azkals winger Patrick Reichelt posted on his Twitter and Instagram accounts the unfortunate news that he has suffered the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) on his right knee. Reichelt stated, “I’ve done it 2011 and I will do it again. An ACL tear in my right knee means the end for this year, but I will come back stronger 2017!” There was no word, though, as to how the injury stuck him.
It comes at a bad time for him as Ceres are still trying to force a comeback for the 2016 United Football League title. Likewise, the news comes as another blow to Azkals coach Thomas Dooley as he has now seen injuries to key players like Rota and Reichelt alongside the cancellation of the Turkmenistan friendly harm his squad’s preparations for the upcoming 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup hosted by the Philippines.
While Reichelt’s absence is a blow to the Azkals, it won’t hurt as much due to the team’s strength in depth at the flanks. Unlike Rota at center-back, the Azkals have experienced players at the flanks as the likes of Misagh Bahadoran, Martin Steuble and Iain Ramsay can play there. Similarly, Ceres have quality players like Adrian Gallardo and Stephan Schrock who are more than able deputies.
Reichelt has amassed forty caps for the Philippines since he made his debut on September 5, 2012 against Cambodia. His forty-two caps have yielded seven goals for the Azkals. The Filipino-German joined Ceres and won the 2015 UFL title with the Bacolod-based club. He has also participated in the 2015 AFC Cup and 2016 Singapore Cup in his time with the club.
