Sidebar

19
Tue, Mar

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago forward Nicholas Dillon (centre) runs at the Panama defence during friendly international action at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva on 17 April, 2018. ...(Copyright Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Typography

Second half substitute Jesús González scored a 90th minute item for Panama that ended-up being the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory for the visitors at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, yesterday.

The World Cup bound Panamanians had greater possession of the ball, especially during the last 20 minutes of the match, achieving several offensive plays that could not be capitalized.

It was reported by Wired868 that: "Trinidad and Tobago did not manage a single shot on target for 93 minutes while they could not string together five successive passes in the opposing half either."

Oscar Villarreal provided the assist when he centered the ball for González who made no mistake raffling home on T&T's custodian Adrian Foncette and securing his team's slim victory. González, who made his debut definitely improved his chances on making the Panamanian team for the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Final Results

Panama 1 (Jesús González 90th) v T&T 0

Teams

Trinidad and Tobago (4-1-4-1): Adrian Foncette (GK); 16.Alvin Jones (19.Kathon St Hillaire 86th), 5.Daneil Cyrus (capt.), 15.Curtis Gonzales, 18.Triston Hodge, 17.Jared London, 7.Cordell Cato (2.Jameel Neptune 83rd), 13.Kevon Goddard (20.Nathaniel Garcia 72nd), 14.Hashim Arcia (11.Nicholas Dillon 61st), 12.Reon Moore (9.Akeem Roach 53rd), 10.Marcus Joseph (8.Judah Garcia 79th).

Unused substitutes: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK), 21.Andre Marchan (GK); 4.Rhondel Gibson, 6.Maurice Ford, 23.Isaiah Hudson, 25.Taryk Sampson, 27.Justin Sadoo.

Coach: Dennis Lawrence.

Panama (4-2-2-2): 12.Jose Calderon (GK) (capt.); 13.Francisco Palacio, 3.Chin Hormechea, 4.Richard Peralta, 23.Sergio Ortega, 6.Leslie Heraldez, 14.Valentin Pimentel (15.Oscar Villarreal 58th), 19.Josiel Nunez (8.Ronaldo Botello 46th), 10.Omar Browne (18.Adalberto Carrasquilla 58th), 7.Carlos Small (19.Ronaldo Dinolis 46th), 9.Jose Fajardo (16.Jesus Gonzales 58th).

Substitutes: 1.Alex Rodriguez (GK).

Coach: Hernán Dario Gomez.

Referee: Reon Radix (Grenada).

Venue: Ato Boldon Stadium.

RELATED NEWS

Panama defeat uninspiring T&T in football friendly.
By Joel Bailey (Newsday).


PANAMA substitute Jesus Gonzalez capitalised on complacent T&T defending to score in the dying seconds, as the visitors prevailed 1-0 in Tuesday evening’s friendly football international at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

The result ended T&T’s coach Dennis Lawrence’s five-game unbeaten run and highlighted, both to the ex-national defender and the estimated 2,000 fans in attendance, the difficulties he currently faces.

The game was not scheduled on a FIFA international date and both teams fielded players who were either domestic-based or out of season.

Panama are preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and hardly looked troubled by a T&T team who never managed a shot on goal or even had any sustained possession.

With the fans leaving the venue, Panama’s Oscar Villarreal collected a ball inside the penalty box. Unmarked, the midfielder picked out substitute Gonzalez who got in front of T&T goalkeeper Adrian Foncette and slotted home from inside the six-yard box.

Panama’s striker Carlos Small had an early opportunity, when he was sent clear on goal, but his effort was blocked by an advancing Foncette, while T&T midfielder Hashim Arcia (15th minute) and striker Marcus Joseph (40th) had efforts which went high and wide of the Panama net.

Lawrence and his opposite coach Hernan Dario Gomez made a host of substitutions in the second half, but Panama had two good opportunities to find the target.

In the 58th, striker Jose Fajardo met a right-side cross from Alexis Palacio and forced a good save from Foncette while, in the 77th, a shot from outside the penalty box fell to Francisco Palacio who hit wide with only Foncette to beat.

But Gonzalez did not miss when a goal-scoring opportunity fell to him, and sparked wild celebrations from his team-mates and the technical staff..