Faint hopes for two key Azkals stars

by Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA—The Asian Football Confederation has directed the Philippine Football Federation to elevate its appeal on the suspension of Borromeo and Schrock to the International Football Federation Disciplinary Committee.
Borromeo, a rock on defense, and Schrock, the dynamic attacking midfielder, picked up two yellow cards in the first round tie against Sri Lanka, which the Azkals eliminated, 5-1, on aggregate.
“It’s a sign of hope,” PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta said of the AFC’s move.

AFC to PFF: Appeal Borromeo, Schrock suspension to FIFA

by Earl Victor Rosero
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has advised the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) to elevate the case of men's national football team captain Aly Borromeo and Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

PFF General Secretary Ramon Manuel said, in a text message to GMA News Online, the AFC used a provision of the FIFA Disciplinary Code as basis for its recommendation.

Article 17, Section 3 of the code states the FIFA Disciplinary Committee "may exceptionally depart from or amend" the one-game suspension rule after two yellow cards. But the decision must be made before the start of a particular competition."

Philippines appeals suspension of 2 Azkals

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) has asked the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to allow Azkals team captain Aly Borromeo and midfielder Stephan Schrock to play in the Philippines’ away-game versus Kuwait.
PFF President Mariano “Nonong” Araneta sent a letter to the AFC Disciplinary Committee seeking reconsideration of its decision to suspend the 2 players.
Araneta argued that it would be unfair to bar the Azkals from playing its complete line-up against Kuwait on July 23.
He said that unlike the Philippines, Kuwait drew a bye to make it to the second round of the World Cup Qualifiers.

2 Azkals suspended for next match

MANILA, Philippines - Aly Borromeo and Stephan Schrock of the Philippine Azkals have been suspended for their next match against Kuwait after incurring 2 yellow cards in their first round World Cup qualifier against Sri Lanka.
According to an e-mail from Guarav Thapa, the Competitions Officer of the Asian Football Confederation, the yellow cards that Borromeo and Schrock received in the games against Sri Lanka will be carried forward.
"The yellow cards received by your players from round 1 & 2 shall be carried forward," Thapa said.
The news was confirmed by Philippine Football Federation Nonong Araneta.
Borromeo and Schrock were tagged with one yellow card for each game played against the Sri Lanka Brave Reds. Source
The Azkals will play against Kuwait on the second round of the World Cup qualifier on July 23. With a report from Boyet Sison, ANC.

Fil-German midfield gem for Azkals

MANILA—Wearing size 6.5 shoes, Filipino-German midfielder Stephan Schrock probably has the smallest feet in the Philippine team.

That fact, however, belies his key role for the Azkals, who are looking to advance to the second round of World Cup qualifying for the first time when they face Sri Lanka today at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The 24-year-old standout from German second division side Greuther Furth was the driving force at midfield in the 1-1 draw against the Sri Lankans in the first leg in Colombo.

On more than one occasion, Schrock was a cut above the rest, skipping past defenders and supplying some defense-splitting passes despite the poor condition of the pitch, which has been partly blamed by the Azkals’ dip in form.

One such pass—an inch-perfect lob that sailed over the

Stephan Schrock, Paul Mulders proud Filipinos

by Cedelf P. Tupas

COLOMBO—They may have sterling club football careers, but for Stephan Schrock and Paul Mulders, nothing beats the feeling of representing the Philippines.

Schrock, a Filipino-German rightback who is one of the brightest talents in the German second division, and Fil-Dutch Mulders, who recently inked a two-year deal with Dutch first division team ADO Den Haag, will be making their debuts for their mothers’ country when the Azkals play Sri Lanka today.
“I am very proud to wear a Philippine shirt and I’m sure my nanay will also be proud,” the soft-spoken Schrock, whose mother hails from Cotabato, said in an interview with the Inquirer.