Liechtenstein stalwart Stocklasa bows out

Long-serving Liechtenstein defender Martin Stocklasa has confirmed that he has brought an end to his playing career, taking up a new youth development role with his club FC St Gallen.

"In terms of football, it is definitely over," the 35-year-old explained. "It was a long process. I had to consider what my best options were. For me this is a great opportunity to introduce myself seamlessly into youth work, now that my playing career is over."

Stocklasa made his debut for Liechtenstein against the Republic of Ireland in 1996, aged 17, and retires having registered 113 appearances for his country, sharing the honour of being his nation's most capped player with Mario Frick. His younger brother Michael played alongside him in defence for much of his international career.

Stocklasa's five goals mean he is also joint third in the list of Liechtenstein's all-time top scorers, level with Thomas Beck and Michele Polverino. He is the only player to have hit a hat-trick for Liechtenstein, in a 3-3 friendly draw with Luxembourg in April 2002. "It was a historic moment for Liechtenstein and an incredible game," he said at the time. "I scored the hat-trick, but we had two men sent off and in the end we drew, so I didn't know what to feel afterwards."

At club level, he represented Liechtenstein-based FC Vaduz, who play their league football in Switzerland, as well as SC Kriens, SV Ried, 1. FC Dynamo Dresden and, since 2011, St Gallen.