Gerrit Holtmann’s debut with the Philippine Azkals will again have to wait after the German Bundesliga mainstay tested positive for Covid-19.
His club VfL Bochum confirmed Sunday, March 21 that Holtmann was one of the three players who yielded a positive test result, thus ruling him out of the upcoming tri-nation series in Singapore which starts Wednesday, March 23.
Holtmann also took to social media to express regret over the latest delay.
“To all Azkals fans, unfortunately, I have to postpone my Philippine National Team debut, due to a positive Covid test,” he said in an Instagram story.
Local football followers have been looking forward to seeing Holtmann don the Azkals jersey for the first time ever since team manager Dan Palami confirmed his inclusion to the squad for the two friendlies against Malaysia on March 23 and Singapore on March 29.
Holtmann has become one of the prominent players in Germany’s top league, producing four goals and four assists in 22 league appearances.
He was supposed to join the likes of veterans Neil Etheridge of English Football Championship side Birmingham City and Stephan Schrock plus fellow debutants Enrique Linares and Diego Bardanca.
No word as of posting time if the Azkals will add a replacement for Holtmann.
The two matches in the Lion City will serve as part of the Azkals preparation for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers slated June in Mongolia.