Holtmann out of Philippines’ Asian Cup qualifying decider against Tajikistan
- Rodolfo Dacleson II
- Mar 28
- 2 min read
Veteran winger Gerrit Holtmann will miss the Philippine men's national football team's (PMNFT) decisive away match against Tajikistan in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers due to a knee issue, his German club VfL Bochum said on Friday, March 27.
Bochum made the announcement days before the Filipino booters face the Tajiks in the latter's own turf on Tuesday, March 31.
“Further investigations in Bochum did not reveal any structural injury,” said Bochum in a report in German. “He is therefore expected to return to team training next week.”
PMNFT later confirmed Holtman experienced knee discomfort during training.
“As part of his ongoing recovery from a knee injury last December, the team has decided to prioritize his full rehabilitation and ensure he regains 100% confidence before returning to competition,” the national team said on a social media update.
The 31-year-old attacker last played for the Philippines during its pair of wins over Timor-Leste in the Asian Cup Qualifiers in October 2025.
Holtman has missed nearly 10 matches for Bochum, which plays in Germany's second-tier league 2. Bundesliga, since December 2025, according to Transfermarkt.
His anticipated linkup with fellow Filipino-German forward Raphael Obermair will have to wait. Obermair, who traces his Filipino roots to his mother, recently joined the national team after several previous call-ups.
Philippine head coach Carles Cuadrat met with him in February.
The SC Paderborn winger is expected to boost the squad, which must beat Tajikistan to secure a second appearance in the Asian Cup.
PMNFT is seeking to replicate its 2018 campaign, when it clinched its first Asian Cup berth by defeating Tajikistan on the final day behind goals from Kevin Ingreso and Phil Younghusband.
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