Philippines will go into next month's 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup campaign without key midfielder Jason De Jong who has announced his retirement from international football for personal reasons.
As reported on affsuzukicup.com, the 24-year-old made the dramatic public announcement that he was quitting the game with immediate effect.
"My heart is not in it anymore and I want to spend more time with my family," said De Jong. "I thank boss Dan (Palami) and coach (Thomas) Dooley for the opportunity they gave me. It was certainly an honour playing for the national team."
The Global FC midfielder was in the Azkals squad that reached the semifinals of the 2010 and 2012 editions of the Suzuki Cup. He has been capped 49 times since making his debut against Timor Leste in 2008.
Philippines coach Dooley will have to make do without two other integral members of his squad with German club SpVgg Greuther Furth midfielder Stephan Schrock and Danish club Hvidovre IF full-back Dennis Cagara announcing earlier this year that they want a break from the international game.
The Azkals will play in Group A against co-hosts Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos with their first game on Nov. 22 against Laos at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi.