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Panama's Tejada: We Needed This Rout
Panama's chances of reaching the second round were in doubt entering Sunday, but a 4-0 thrashing over Nicaragua is just what the Panamanians needed.
Jul 12, 2009 8:57:49 PM
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Needing a win against Nicaragua to claim a spot in the Gold Cup quarterfinals, Panama went out and got it.
And then some.
Panama ripped apart an overmatched Nicaragua side by 4-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals. While the next round’s opponent is to be determined, Panama players were content with having survived the first round.
“We’re going step by step, but we obtained the objective was set out with which was to reach the second round,” Panama’s Luis Tejada said. “It doesn’t matter to us who we face next. What we want is to have a good showing this tournament. We know that by winning the title a lot of doors would open for Panamanian players.”
Panama’s win may have been a slaughter by the time the match ended but it started rather closely. Nicaragua were unyielding in the back early on as Panama’s forwards found the space somewhat tight in defense.
But Blas Perez took care of that early defensive strategy by the Nicaraguans. In the 35th minute, Perez took advantage of a deflection off Nicaraguan defender David Solorzano and headed home the eventual game-winner.
The goal set things in motion for Panama’s rout but the red card late in the half also helped.
“(The goal) helped to break open what was until then a tight game,” Perez said. “Their expulsion further opened the game as it forced them to change their tactics a bit.”
Franklin Lopez was sent off in first-half stoppage time and Nicaragua played the entire second half with 10 men. Gabriel Gomez scored in the 56th minute while Tejada bagged goals in the 75th and 88th minutes to send Panama through in style.
“We needed this,” Tejada said. “A win like this will give the team more motivation entering the next round.”
Panama will play either Costa Rica or the United States in the quarterfinal round. For the time being, Panama players said the victory was important for several reasons.
“For pride, for having just played a tough game, for the people of Panama who have a lot of faith in their team,” Perez said. “Little by little we are meeting our objective and I think the people of Panama are happy with what we’re doing. So we have to keep going forward.”
The tournament has been a bit of a whirlwind for Panama. Guadeloupe surprised Panama with a 2-1 win in Oakland, forcing La Marea Roja to earn at least a draw against Mexico to have a semblance of an opportunity to advance. They did, tying Mexico 1-1 on Thursday. Panama completed the turnaround with their rout of Nicaragua.
“The first game against Guadeloupe was a surprise, we lost and then we had to face a tough Mexico team,” Perez said. “But the players were motivated for that game and we pulled out a good result against them. It was up to us to take care of Nicaragua and we did, and now we’re much more motivated for what comes ahead.”
Panama, who met the United States in the 2005 Gold Cup final, said they would be happy with a rematch.
“We have to wait the result to see if it is the U.S. or another team but we’ll be motivated to win our game no matter who we play,” Perez said. “Revenge (could be factor) but also in reality it’s very motivating to play against a team like the United States, who is one of the best teams in this region.”
Luis Bueno, Goal.com
Visit Goal.com for more coverage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
And then some.
Panama ripped apart an overmatched Nicaragua side by 4-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals. While the next round’s opponent is to be determined, Panama players were content with having survived the first round.
“We’re going step by step, but we obtained the objective was set out with which was to reach the second round,” Panama’s Luis Tejada said. “It doesn’t matter to us who we face next. What we want is to have a good showing this tournament. We know that by winning the title a lot of doors would open for Panamanian players.”
Panama’s win may have been a slaughter by the time the match ended but it started rather closely. Nicaragua were unyielding in the back early on as Panama’s forwards found the space somewhat tight in defense.
But Blas Perez took care of that early defensive strategy by the Nicaraguans. In the 35th minute, Perez took advantage of a deflection off Nicaraguan defender David Solorzano and headed home the eventual game-winner.
The goal set things in motion for Panama’s rout but the red card late in the half also helped.
“(The goal) helped to break open what was until then a tight game,” Perez said. “Their expulsion further opened the game as it forced them to change their tactics a bit.”
Franklin Lopez was sent off in first-half stoppage time and Nicaragua played the entire second half with 10 men. Gabriel Gomez scored in the 56th minute while Tejada bagged goals in the 75th and 88th minutes to send Panama through in style.
“We needed this,” Tejada said. “A win like this will give the team more motivation entering the next round.”
Panama will play either Costa Rica or the United States in the quarterfinal round. For the time being, Panama players said the victory was important for several reasons.
“For pride, for having just played a tough game, for the people of Panama who have a lot of faith in their team,” Perez said. “Little by little we are meeting our objective and I think the people of Panama are happy with what we’re doing. So we have to keep going forward.”
The tournament has been a bit of a whirlwind for Panama. Guadeloupe surprised Panama with a 2-1 win in Oakland, forcing La Marea Roja to earn at least a draw against Mexico to have a semblance of an opportunity to advance. They did, tying Mexico 1-1 on Thursday. Panama completed the turnaround with their rout of Nicaragua.
“The first game against Guadeloupe was a surprise, we lost and then we had to face a tough Mexico team,” Perez said. “But the players were motivated for that game and we pulled out a good result against them. It was up to us to take care of Nicaragua and we did, and now we’re much more motivated for what comes ahead.”
Panama, who met the United States in the 2005 Gold Cup final, said they would be happy with a rematch.
“We have to wait the result to see if it is the U.S. or another team but we’ll be motivated to win our game no matter who we play,” Perez said. “Revenge (could be factor) but also in reality it’s very motivating to play against a team like the United States, who is one of the best teams in this region.”
Luis Bueno, Goal.com
Visit Goal.com for more coverage of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
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