JUST hours before the Philippines-Malaysia international friendly kicked off yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Ceres Negros FC ace keeper Roland Müller officially announced his retirement from the national team.
Müller said that saying goodbye was a hard decision.
“Time to take care of my own family,” the 29-year old Fil-German goalie said.
“Six years ago, I made the first game for the Azkals – a new experience which gave me the chance to see part of my roots, and meet teammates who became like brothers. We lost, fought, and won together. I had a great time. I will be forever proud to have played for this beautiful country,” Müller said.
The Ceres FC keeper also thanked everyone who supported him during his Azkals stint.
“I will never forget this part of my life and I’m so thankful for this opportunity. I will be always an Azkal,” he added.
Müller, who signed up with Ceres Negros FC last year, took over the task to guard his club’s posts in the ongoing AFC Cup. Among his best performances in the tournament was the recent heroic save on Felda United Lucas Cano’s penalty shot.
The Ceres Negros FC standout started his professional career in 2007 with 1 FC Köln II in Germay, where he has 64 appearances and then with MSV Duisburg II and MSV Duisburg 8.
In 2013, he moved to Servette FC in Switzerland where he had 56 outings before he was loaned by Étoile Carouge in 2016, until he finally settled with Ceres FC.
Müller started his national team duty in 2011 as the Philippines U-23 keeper during the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia. He is among the top keepers of the men’s team for six years with 22 caps.
Many of his fans were shocked and surprised with the news yet, thanked him for rendering service to the country, sending him good wishes for his career and family.
With Müller’s exit, Global FC reserve keeper Nick O’Donnell has been added to the team.
