The Tribune

PANAMA

World ranking: 28

Group C: with Paraguay

(9), Portugal (1) and

United Arab Emirates (10)

The road to Nassau

After being drawn in a tough Group D, Panama’s path to glory at the 2017 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship was far from easy.

Indeed, the Central Americans were tested from the outset in a tough Group D, requiring a penalty shoot-out to prevail against Costa Rica after their opener had ended 1-1. They then fell to El Salvador after again needing to decide matters from the penalty spot folowing a 4-4 draw.

‘Los Canaleros’ closed the group phase with an emphatic defeat of Turks and Caicos Islands (8-4) to check into the quarter-finals. There they saw off the United States (6-4) and then secured a berth at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 after another dramatic encounter with El Salvador in the semis, this time taking the spoils in the ensuing shoot-out after finishing level at 2-2.

Nor was there any stopping them in the final, where they were crowned regional champions for the first time after downing Mexico 4-2.

Strengths and style

One of the keys to Panama’s regional crown was undoubtedly Alfonso Maquensi, voted the tournament’s most valuable player. His six goals, allied to his gift for creating dangerous openings, were fundamental to his side’s maiden World Cup qualification and title success.

No less impressive was goalkeeper Jose Victoria, who delivered when it mattered most - and not least in the various shoot-outs his team had to endure.

FIFA Beach Soccer

World Cup record

This will be Panama’s first participation at a Beach Soccer World Cup.

• The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 will be held in Nassau from April 27 to May 7.