All good things must come to an end.
Stephan Schrock, the talismanic skipper of the Philippines Azkals, announced that he will end his international career after Monday’s clash against Indonesia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in the country’s last AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 fixture.
“As you know in football nothing is for sure but 99 percent it will be my last game for the national team. Coming 11 years for the national team, it’s quite emotional for me,” said the 36-year-old midfielder.
Ever since Schrock first suited up for the Azkals against Sri Lanka on June 29, 2011, in the 2014 FIFA World Cup first round qualifiers, he was able to amass 56 caps, which yielded six goals and nine assists.
His biggest moments in the national team shirt was when he led the Philippines in its maiden appearance in the continental stage.
As the skipper of the Azkals in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, he played in the country’s three group stage games. The four-time Philippines Football League champion scored the Philippines’ only goal in the Asian Cup via a long-range effort against Kyrgyzstan.
“Not many know what I had to sacrifice, how many million euro contracts I jeopardized to come out for the national team, and how many moments I missed out with my family,” said the erstwhile Ceres-Negros/United City stalwart. “I have three children. My youngest daughter will turn one. I missed all first birthdays of the kids for the national team. I moved weddings for the national team. I couldn’t attend (the) honeymoon for the national team. I left (my) family sick with COVID at home to come to the national team.
“I sacrificed a lot and there comes a time when you want to have it in your own hands. Given that I was not selected in the AFC (Asian Cup) qualifiers, I think it’s a good time to step down and enjoy the last 90 minutes of my Azkals career.”
In his prime, Schrock was one of those counted upon by fans and teammates to be able to produce a magical moment that can win the game for the Azkals.
However, no athlete can defeat father time. Just like his peers in football and any other sport, the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup silver medalist has seen his abilities on the pitch dwindle as time passed by.
Ultimately, he will be looking to win against the Indonesians tomorrow not just to put a fitting end to his career in the Azkals shirt but to help the country go out of the regional tourney on a high note.
“I can assure you in the past 11 years, whenever I was called up and whenever I was able to convince the club in Europe to let me go, I always played my heart out. I always showed up in the best possible shape even if it’s off-season, during the season, with lots of games, little games, I always come here to deliver my best performance,” said the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara winner.
“Some games it goes better, some games it doesn’t. What I can tell you is that I always played my heart out and always put the effort that is necessary to represent the country. That’s what I’m gonna do tomorrow in my last game as well.”
