Michael Kempter

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Tribaco and the surname or paternal family name is Kempter.

Michael Tribaco Kempter^[1] (born 12 January 1995) is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Swiss Super League club Grasshopper Club Zürich.^[2] Born in Switzerland, he plays for the Philippines national team. He began his career at Zürich and had played for the Swiss youth national teams.

Michael Kempter

Personal information
Full name	Michael Tribaco Kempter
Date of birth	(1995-01-12) 12 January 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth	Schlieren, Switzerland
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Grasshopper Club Zürich
Number	24
Youth career
	Rudolfstetten
–2016	Zürich
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2020	Zürich	27	(1)
2020–2021	Neuchâtel Xamax	26	(0)
2021–2023	St. Gallen	22	(1)
2023–	Grasshopper	5	(0)
International career‡
2014	Switzerland U19	1	(0)
2014–2016	Switzerland U20	3	(0)
2021–	Philippines	5	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 December 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14:15; 14 November 2024 (UTC)

Club career

FC Zürich

Kempter, a product of the FC Zürich youth academy, made his league debut for the club on 24 April 2016 in a 3–0 away defeat to Young Boys, coming on as an 81st minute substitute for Vinícius Freitas.^[3] He scored his first competitive goal for the club on 10 April 2017 in a 5–2 away victory in the league over Le Mont.^[4] His goal, scored in the 54th minute, made the score 5–0 to Zürich.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2017, Kempter suffered a rupture of the cruciate ligament.^[5] He was out until March 2018 and only one month later, he got injured again and had to get a surgery. On 1 February 2019, Kempter was relegated to the U-21 squad.^[6] In August 2020 his contract was not renewed.^[7]

Neuchâtel Xamax

In September 2020, Kempter signed a one-year deal with Swiss Challenge League club Neuchâtel Xamax.^[8][9]

St. Gallen

In July 2021, it was reported that Kempter was on trial with Swiss Super League club St. Gallen. Kempter played friendlies against Rheindorf Altach and Stuttgart. After a convincing pre-season, Kempter signed a two-year deal with St. Gallen.^[10][11][12]

Grasshopper Club Zürich

On 18 June 2023, he joined Grasshopper Club Zürich on a free transfer.^[13] He signed a two-year deal with the Swiss record champions. He started and played the full 90 minutes in the first four games of the season. Sadly, on 27 August 2023, in his fifth start for Grasshoppers he had to be subbed off after a little over 60 minutes with an ACL and meniscus injury, thus ending his season prematurely.^[14]

International career

Kempter was born in Schlieren, Switzerland to a Swiss father and a Filipina mother from Pasay. As such, he was eligible to represent both Switzerland and Philippines.^{[15][better source needed][16]}

Switzerland youth

Kempter has represented Switzerland at under-19 to under-20 levels.^[16]

Philippines

Kempter confirmed his decision to represent the Philippines in 2018, but did not receive his first call-up until June 2019 ahead of a friendly against China PR^[17] as the process to secure eligibility documents delayed the switch.^[18] He made his debut on 7 June 2021 in a World Cup and Asian Cup qualifier against China PR.^[19] In the 14th minute, his nose was elbowed in a controversial challenge from Tang Miao, and he had to be taken off the pitch. Tang was not booked for the incident, and a disappointed coach Scott Cooper confronted referee Kim Hee-gon at halftime, who allegedly claimed that Kempter "broke his own nose".^[20][21]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 August 2023^[2]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
FC Zürich	2015–16	Swiss Super League	2	0	—		0	0	—		2	0
	2016–17	Swiss Challenge League	12	1	1[a]	0	0	0	—		13	1
	2017–18	Swiss Super League	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
	2018–19		0	0	—		—		—		0	0
	2019–20		13	0	—		—		—		13	0
	Total		27	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	28	1
Neuchâtel Xamax	2020–21	Swiss Challenge League	26	0	—		—		—		26	0
St. Gallen	2021–22	Swiss Super League	12	1	0	0	—		—		12	1
	2022–23		10	0	1[a]	0	—		—		11	0
	Total		22	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	23	1
Grasshopper Club Zürich	2023–24	Swiss Super League	5	0	1[a]	0	—		—		6	0
Career total			80	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	83	2

1. Includes appearances in the Swiss Cup

References

1. "Preliminary Joint Qualification 2022 – Preliminary Round 2 match report: China P.R. – Philippines". stats.the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation (AFC). 7 June 2021. Archived from the original on 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
2. "Switzerland – M. Kempter – Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
3. "Young Boys vs. Zurich – 24 April 2016". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
4. "Le Mont vs. Zurich – 10 April 2017". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
5. Michael Kempter fällt mehrere Monate aus, fcz.ch, 30 June 2017
6. Kadermutationen in der Winterpause 2018/2019, fcz.ch, 1 February 2019
7. Trainingsstart in der Allmend Brunau, fcz.ch, 19 August 2020
8. "Michael Kempter rejoint bien Xamax". ArcInfo (in French). 15 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
9. "FCZ: Eigengewächs Michael Kempter unterschreibt bei Xamax" (in German). Nau. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
10. "Nun ist es offiziell: Michael Kempter unterschreibt beim FCSG für zwei Jahre" (in German). St. Galler Tagblatt. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
11. "Zurück in der Super League" (in German). Wohler Anzeiger. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
12. "Football: Saint-Gall engage Michael Kempter". ArcInfo (in French). 12 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
13. "Kempter signs with GZ Zurich". Grasshopper Club Zürich. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
14. "End of season for Michael Kempter". Grasshopper Club Zürich. 1 September 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
15. "Xamaxien Michael Kempter retained with the selection of the Philippines". News in 24. 21 May 2021. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
16. Atencio, Peter (29 June 2020). "Fil-Swiss Kempter itching to join PH Azkals". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
17. "Philippines Head To China PR For International Friendly Match". Philippine Football Federation. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
18. Tupas, Cedelf (1 July 2020). "After long wait to suit up, Kempter wants to be Azkals' leader". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
19. Terrado, Jonas (8 June 2021). "Azkals fall short vs China in resumption of Asian Qualifiers campaign". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
20. Terrado, Jonas (8 June 2021). "Azkals coach unfazed despite loss to China in World Cup/Asian Cup Qualifiers". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
21. "World Cup 2022: China beats the Philippines in Asian qualifiers to edge closer to third round of qualifiers". South China Morning Post. 8 June 2021. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.

External links

• Michael Kempter at Soccerbase
• Michael Kempter at Soccerway
• Michael Kempter at WorldFootball.net