Panamanians eye victory tonight
Published:Friday | March 22, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Marc Stamp, Gleaner Writer
Panama will hope to continue their dominance over Jamaica when both nations face off in a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier final round game today at the National Stadium, starting at 8:30 p.m.
The Panama team, officials and supporters jetted into the island yesterday, only a day ahead of the crucial game and had their only training session at the National Stadium at 6:45 p.m. yesterday.
"We are looking forward to the match tomorrow. We are very happy to be here. Happy to be with our Jamaican brothers," Pedro Chaluja, Panama Football Federation (PFF) president, told The Gleaner yesterday on arrival at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
"Mr Burrell (Horace, the Jamaica Football Federation president) has been very helpful. But tomorrow, we have a match … and I hope we will be winners," Chaluja said.
In 12 clashes between both teams, Panama have won five times, drawn five and lost two. That gives them a distinct advantage in head-to-head contests.
ONE POINT APIECE
After one round of matches in the final round, Jamaica and Panama have one point apiece.
Efforts to speak with Panama's coach, Julio Dely Valdez ,proved futile.
"Not talking to the media today," Adan De Gracia, Panama's press officer, told the local media.
The Panama squad reads Kevin Melgar, Alex Rodriquez, Leonel Parris, Juan Perez, Edwin Aguilar, Alberto Quintero, Alcibiades Rojas, Anibal Goday, Jaime Penedo, Felipe Baloy, Roman Torres, Blas Perez, Marcos Sanchez, Gabriel Gomez, Rolando Escobar, Nelson Barahna, Armando Cooper, Jairo Jimenez, Luis Henriquez, Luis Tejada, Harold Cummings, Jean Carlos Cedeno and Carlos Rodriquez.
The official party reads Pedro Chaluja (PFF president), Ramon Cardoza (head of delegation), Julio Dely Valdez (coach), Jorge Dely Valdez (assistant coach), Julio toral (trainer), Gerinaldo Martinez (team doctor), Juan Carlos Andrion (medical staff), Grerys Soto (medical staff), Milton Sequra (equipment manager), Abel Medina (equipment assistant), Rolando Gonzolezo (team manager), Derek Canavaggio (assistant team manager), Adan De Gracia press officer), Rembrandt Diaz (press officer assistant) and Adolfo Aguilar (chef).