As the Philippine Men’s National Football Team celebrated reaching the final four of the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, one of its stalwarts for over a decade has decided to end his international career.
Filipino-German forward Patrick Reichelt has represented the Philippines in tournaments such as the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, and FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns.
Now, he has announced that he is retiring from national team duty and leaving the squad after its 1-0 victory over Indonesia to focus on his family.
“Yeah, it’s true,” said the Kuala Lumpur City standout who debuted for the Philippines in 2012. “That’s why it’s been a bit emotional after the game for me and the boys. I will leave tomorrow flying back to Malaysia to support my wife, who’s giving birth in 13 days.
“We are expecting our first baby and it’s time. It’s time. I’ll go home, prepare for the birth, and I’ll be the biggest supporter from back home.”
Reichelt has made 85 international appearances and scored 14 goals for the country.
Late in the game, he came on for Uriel Dalapo against the Garuda Squad to help defend the one-goal lead.
Come the final whistle – with the victory secured – he and his teammates were exuberant on the pitch and inside their locker room at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta.
For him, this current crop of nationals led by Albert Capellas is special. As a player who’s been in the semifinals of the regional competition thrice in his career, the 36-year-old felt that this team has already achieved so much, and he is tipping his teammates to finish the job without him.
“It’s an amazing feeling and achievement. This group of boys, this new generation, if you could have seen us bond as a group in the last two weeks – it’s just been amazing. We as a team, the coaching staff, and everybody just deserve it. It’s time to make history and I know this group can make history,” said the Ceres Negros legend.
“I think Philippine football has been waiting for the next big thing, the next Miracle of Hanoi, and I just have a special feeling about this group now,” he went on.
“I can see it happening, and I hope that we can wake up the Philippines, even the next generation, and have a big impact on what happens next in Philippine football.”
Up next for Capellas’ side is a two-legged semifinal affair against Thailand.
The Philippines will host the first leg of the tie at Rizal Memorial on December 27. Then Thailand will have the second leg on December 30 at the iconic Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
While the Philippines may have lost a key member of its squad for both matches and potentially beyond them, it has gained one of its biggest fans yet.
Reichelt has promised to support the team from his home in Malaysia while preparing for the birth of his child.
“Just like always, back home, I’ll scream my lungs out,” said the two-time Philippines Football League champion. “(Let’s) support these boys. These boys deserve it. Each and every one of them is an amazing character. They all fight for the flag.
“Let’s get all together and scream in front of the TVs to get them to the final for the first time in history.”
