The Philippine national men’s football team won’t have star forward Gerrit Holtmann when they clash against Maldives in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on 25 March.

National team head coach Albert Capellas made the announcement Tuesday as the 29-year-old Filipino-German footballer is choosing to rest and heal any minor injuries he has.

“He was injured. I visited him and his club is fighting to avoid relegation,” Capellas said.

“This would be very huge and it is a very big risk if he comes with us and plays again because he has some muscle problems.”

“I know it is very painful for him if he cannot join us. But in the end, we have to be smart to take the best decision for everybody.”

The Philippines is expected to field a similar core of players, led by Sandro Reyes and Bjorn Kristensen, that made it to the semifinal of the Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

Despite Holtmann’s absence, Philippine Football Federation national teams director Freddy Gonzalez is still confident that the Nationals will be able to pick up the win to start their Asian Cup qualifiers campaign.

The match will be held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Tarlac.

“So I think we’re pretty confident that the team that’s here is going to get the job done and is going to play a good match,” Gonzalez said.