October 15 ------ GERRIT Holtmann scored a goal in his return to Philippine duty during this international window to beat Tajikistan, 3-0, to capture third place in the 50th King's Cup at the Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkhla, Thailand. Holtmann's goal enabled newly-appointed PMNT head coach Albert Capellas to capture his first win which came after the squad lost to host Thailand, 3-1, last Friday. The win also snapped a 10-game winless run for the team.
Holtmann lined an attempt from outside the penalty box in the 47th minute with Tajikistan goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov unable to parry the ball cleanly as it bounced into his leg and into the goal. Jefferson Tabinas and Zico Bailey also scored in the 58th and 62nd minute to take third place and atoning for its defeat over Tajikistan in the Merdeka Cup where it lost on penalties, 4-3, last September.
The German-born Holtmann made his second goal as a member of the PMNT in his fourth appearance, coming back to the team after two years in this FIFA international window, adding firepower to the national team. The German Bundesliga player from VfL Bochum currently on loan for second division squad Darmstadt 1898 last played for the Philippines in June 2023 during the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
In his first window with PMNT two years ago, Holtmann scored a late goal to provide the team a 1-0 win over Mongolia. The Philippines was in control in the first half fuelled by scoring chances by Holtmann but the match was still scoreless at the break.
Source: spin.ph
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