Holtmann makes Phl Team return

Bundesliga striker Gerritt Holtmann will finally play his first home game with the Philippine national men’s football team as it battles Tajikistan today in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers at the New Clark City Stadium in Tarlac.

Kick-off is set at 7 p.m. with Holtmann, who plays for German club VfL Bochum, expected to lead the national booters.

It will also be the first match for interim head coach Carles Cuadrat after former mentor Albert Capellas stepped down to serve as youth development program head of GNK Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

So far, the Nationals are on top of Group A with a +3 goal difference, thanks to their 4-1 win over the Maldives last March.

The 30-year-old Filipino-German striker said he is excited to play in front of the Filipinos.

“This is my first time now to play here in the Philippines. I'm really proud to play a game here,” Holtmann said.

“This is my first game and I hope we are successful and win this important game. We know that we are going to play against a very competitive team.”

Holtmann is no stranger to the Tajiks.

In fact, his most recent game for the Philippines was a 3-0 win over Tajikistan in the 2024 King's Cup in Thailand.

Aside from Holtmann, midfielder Sandro Reyes and defender Amani Aguinaldo will also fortify the national squad.

Reyes and Aguinaldo are overflowing with confidence after playing for the ASEAN All-Star squad in Malaysia last May, where they defeated European giant Manchester United 1-0.

Also set to play for the Nationals are forwards Jarvey Gayoso and Bjorn Kristensen, midfielders Oskari Kekkonen, Randy Schneider, Zico Bailey, and Manny Ott, defenders Paul and Jeff Tabinas, Josef Baccay, Adrian Ugelvik, Santi Rublico, and Scott Woods, and goalkeepers Quincy Kameraad, Kevin Mendoza, and Nicholas Guimaraes.