Azkals’ Rota suffers broken ribs, could miss WCQ games

Philippines’ Simone Rota (23) during the first leg of the semifinal match between the Azkals and Thailand in the 2014 Suzuki Cup in Manila. AFP

Defender Simone Rota faces a lengthy layoff after sustaining broken ribs while playing for Stallion in the United Football League Cup semifinals Tuesday night at Rizal Memorial Stadium. 

The 30-year-old Rota, who has two goals from 11 appearances for the Azkals, collided with Kaya goalkeeper Nick O’ Donnell as he was attacking a low cross in extra time of the game won by Kaya in a penalty shootout.

The injury could force Rota out of the Philippines’ World Cup Qualifying clash against Uzbekistan on Sept. 8 at Philippine Sports Stadium.

But sources close to Rota said the defender broke his seventh and eighth rib and could be out for at least three months, which meant he could also miss the games against North Korea on Oct. 8 in Pyongyang and against Bahrain on Oct. 13 in Manama.

Already without veteran defender Rob Gier who is set to go under the knife due to an injured knee, the Azkals could be left short on options at the back.

Luke Woodland, Jerry Lucena and Daisuke Sato started for the Azkals in the 2-0 win over Yemen in Qatar last June.

Sato is still recovering from a broken right hand. Azkals coach Thomas Dooley also included Amani Aguinaldo and Kenshiro Daniels in his 23-man training pool but Aguinaldo has seen little action the past couple of months for his club due to injury while Daniels, who plays winger for Kaya, remains a work in progress at the rightback position.