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| Gerrit Holtmann will use the remainder of the Bundesliga season to get back into shape from a muscle fiber tear according to PMNFT head coach Albert Capellas. FA Thailand (file photo) |
MANILA -- PMNFT head tactician Albert Capellas revealed that mainstay Gerrit Holtmann will not play for the Philippines in the first window of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers 3rd Round versus The Maldives on Tuesday, next week at New Clark City Stadium in Capas.
In an interview after the Philippine Football Federation launched its partnership with GoTyme Bank Capellas cited Holtmann's injury and his team's current struggle to prevent relegation in the Bundesliga Season, as Bochum sits in 16th place in the standings.
"He was injured. I visited him and his club is fighting to avoid the relegation. Bundesliga is very huge and is a very big risk if he comes with us and plays again," Capellas added.
Bochum's bid to stay in Division 1 without any hitch hit a snag over the weekend as the club lost at home, 1-3, to Frankfurt a day after St. Pauli scored a 1-0 win against Hoffenheim.
Holtmann, though, scored the consolation goal for Bochum, signaling that he is indeed back from a muscle fiber tear.
Bochum is currently at 20 points, five behind St. Pauli, for 15th place.
Only the top 15 clubs at the end of the season will stay in the top flight outright, while the two bottom teams will be relegated to Bundesliga 2 to be replaced by the top two teams in the said division.
Bochum might need to win a two-leg playoff against whoever finishes third in Bundesliga 2 to keep its Division 1 status if they remain 16th in the end.
As he understood the status of Holtmann, Capellas is still hopeful that he will join the Philippines in their must-win game versus Tajikistan in the June window.
"We want to prefer that he join us in June," Capellas added, emphasizing that barring another injury, Holtmann should be available that time since it is the offseason already.
With Holtmann begging off, Jarvey Gayoso, Bjorn Martin Kristensen, Javier Mariona, Alex Monis, and Santi Rublico are left as forwards on the 24-man roster issued by the PMNFT.
With a report from Ivan Saldajeno from Mandaluyong.
Follow him on X: @gilpuyatstation
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