Panama’s World Cup hopes take a knock
Panama missed the opportunity to move into fourth place in CONCACAF’s World Cup standings after a scoreless draw with Jamaica in the rain at Rommel Fernandez Stadium on Friday Sep 6.
With Mexico suffering a shock 2-1 loss at home against Honduras, Panama could have claimed fourth position with victory against Jamaica but they failed to test the visitor’s goalkeeper often enough to triumph.
Panama plays Honduras on Tuesday and will be seeking to get three points against a team buoyed by its historic win pver Mexico.
Panama had 62 per cent possession in Friday’s match and took 15 shots to Jamaica’s seven.
While the visitors failed to hit the target throughout the 90 minutes, Panama hardly did any better with Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts only required to make two saves for the match.
The draw leaves Panama in fifth spot in the standings in CONCACAF’s fourth and final round of World Cup qualifying.
Panama trail Mexico by one point with the latter sitting in CONCACAF’s play-off position, which would require the Mexicans to play New Zealand over two legs for a spot at next year’s World Cup finals.
Mexico led after five minutes at the Estadio Azteca but two goals in three second-half minutes from Jerry Bengtson and Carlos Costly gave Honduras an historic first-ever away victory over the Mexicans.
Honduras’ triumph means Mexico are winless in four home games in CONCACAF’s fourth round of qualifying.
In the other match, Costa Rica defeated the United States 3-1 to claim top spot in CONCACAF’s standings.
Country MP W L D GF GA GD Pts.
Costa Rica 7 4 1 2 9 4 +5 14
USA 7 4 2 1 9 6 +3 13
Honduras 7 3 3 1 8 8 0 10
Mexico 7 1 1 5 4 4 0 8
Panama 7 1 2 4 5 7 -2 7
Jamaica 7 0 4 3 2 8 -6 3
Top three teams qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
4th-placed team advances to a playoff against Oceania Football Confederation winner (New Zealand)
