PATRICK Reichelt has retired from international football, a day after the Philippines secured its fifth semifinal appearance in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup.

The announcement came yesterday as the Filipinos were about to leave Indonesia on a high after eliminating the Garuda, 1-0, in their final group stage fixture Saturday night.

Reichelt came in as a substitute for Uriel Dalapo in stoppage time. The 36-year-old long-time national team mainstay was given a victory toss by his teammates after the match.

“With a very heavy heart, I’m leaving the camp today after our successful semi-final qualification. This is a decision I discussed with the management and coaching staff beforehand, and I’m grateful for their full support,” Reichelt wrote on his Instagram account.

“My wife and I are expecting our first child in just a few days, and it’s time for me to fly home and give my undivided attention to our growing family. As this beautiful new chapter begins in our lives, another comes to an end.

“Yesterday’s game marked my last match wearing the Philippines football jersey. This decision was never going to be easy, but I always knew the day would come. For nearly 13 years, this team has been my family. I owe so much of my life to this experience,” he added.

Reichelt will as retires as joint second-top goalscorer for the Filipinos, tied with Chieffy Caligdong with 16.

He went back to Malaysia to support his wife and will not be with the team when the Philippines plays holders Thailand in the two-legged semifinals starting Friday, and in the Finals if ever the country qualifies.

“We’ve shared Christmases, birthdays, and even quarantines together. I’ve literally grown up with this national team, and you’ve been a huge part of shaping me into the man I am today,” Reichelt said.

“Representing the Philippines as a national team player has been the greatest honor of my professional career. I hope, along the way, I was able to inspire fans, friends, and especially my teammates to understand what it truly means to represent this amazing team and the people of our country. I will treasure this journey and its memories forever.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone I’ve worked with over the years—my teammates, coaches, and staff. Thank you for letting me be part of this incredible family.

“I’ll see you around Philippines football,” he added.

Reichelt was a part of five editions of the AFF Championship since 2012, only missing the Final Four in the coronavirus-delayed 2020 edition, and helped the team formerly known as the Azkals to qualify for the very first time for the AFC Asian Cup in 2019. He started in all three matches for the Philippines in the United Arab Emirates.

Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was among the national team standouts who praised Reichelt for his stellar career.

“A friend, a brother, a legend. A player who has inspired many off the field and on it. Someone who’s loyalty to the country, this team is unwavering. It’s a sad moment to see you hang them up but you will not be forgotten. Achieving in the shirt things that many can’t and many won’t. I have the upmost respect for you as a player and more importantly a person,” Etheridge wrote on Reichelt’s Instagram account.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado