Panamanian News Rounds

    Again leaving it rather late, but here’s a brief rundown of some news snippets from the Panamanian press.

     Some 2000 Panamanians are expected to be at BMO Field tonight; they expect to encounter the “relatively cool fans” of Canada.

    Panama has some pretty decent nickname-ology on their side tonight. Luis “Paws” Mejia, Luis “Coco” Henriquez, Felipe “El Pipe” Baloy, and the culturally insensitive, Alberto “Negrito” Quintero. Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez are shaking their heads right now.

    Panama is coached by a pair of twin brothers; Julio Dely Valdes is assisted by his brother Jorge – who scored against Canada back in 1996.

    Neither team has conceded a goal as yet in this round of qualifying. Canada allowed one in the second round, while Panama allowed two.

    Thirty year old, Luis Tejada, their all-time leading scorer with thirty-four goals, has just secured a move to Mexican club, Toluca, after a wandering existence that saw him play for thirteen clubs over the last eleven years, including Real Salt Lake in 2007.

    Panama will play in their White kits this evening, allowing Canada to sport their home Reds. The Panamanian keeper with be in Blue kit, with Black socks.

    An interview with veteran keeper Jaime Penedo from FIFA.com.

    Panama hopes to “maintain the illusion of the whole country in (taking a step towards) a ticket to Brazil 2014”. Los Canaleros have never been to a World Cup and are poised to make it happen.

    And finally, a bit of virtual footage, as Panama and Canada take the pitch in FIFA’s 2010 World Cup.



Panama wins 1-0 in the end; it appears as though De Rosario puts one off the bar at the death.

Be sure to check out the fine video interviews assembled by the good folks at Red Nation Online and by Canada Soccer.