Philippine Azkals lose Rota to injury

MANILA, Philippines - After veteran Rob Gier, the Philippine Azkals lost another defender to injury as they gear up for their next assignment in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers as Stallion FC’s Simone Rota suffered broken ribs Tuesday night in the United Football League (UFL) Cup semis.

Rota collided with Kaya keeper Nick O’Donnell while going after a low cross late in extra time and was wheeled out of the Rizal Stadium. He later was diagnosed to have broken his seventh and eighth ribs, an injury that would sideline him for as long as three months.

“Doc said I broke two of my ribs (8th & 7th rib),” Rota himself confirmed in a post on his Instagram account.

Rota, who has scored two goals in 11 caps with Phl XI, was replaced by OJ Porteria in the Azkals’ 23-man pool for their Sept. 3 friendly against Maldives at Rizal and their Sept. 8 World Cup qualifier match against Uzbekistan at the Philippine Sports Stadium. 

The injury could make him unavailable for their October road outings in the WCQ against North Korea on Oct. 8 and Bahrain on Oct. 13.

The 30-year-old Rota joined Gier, who is set to undergo operation on his knee, on sick bay. Another backline stalwart, Daisuke Sato, is still recovering from a broken hand.