- February, 16 2007 -
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Friday, February 16, 2007 – Cuscatlán Stadium, El Salvador: In a game that saw a player from each side and Costa Rica coach Alexandre Gimares sent off, two second half goals were enough to see Panama deservedly through to the Copa de Naciones Digicel final. Panama had the better of the chances throughout and despite late heavy pressure from Hernan Dario Gomez’s side, never looked like relinquishing the lead they had taken on 50 minutes through substitute Ricardo Philips.
Panama opened brightly going close as early as the fourth minute when Escobar’s dangerous free-kick slide just past the post and again on 13th minutes when Canales’ driven cross somehow missed everyone in the 6 yard box. Alegria headed just wide for Guatemala on 16 minutes before the action swung again to the other end. A powerful free-kick from Panama captain Felipe Baloy was brilliantly turned away by Trigueno in the Guatemala goal. After this hectic opening 20 minutes, the remainder of the half saw a more even contest with few chances as Guatemala came more into the game.
The second period started with a renewed sense of urgency from Panama with half-time substitute Ricardo Philips at the centre of the action. On 48 minutes his dangerous centre was just cleared away by Cabrera and on 50 minutes he opened the scoring, the first goal that Guatemala had conceded in 320 minutes of football in the Copa de Naciones Digicel 2007. Alberto Blanco, influential throughout, played a great through ball putting Philips one-on-one with keeper Trigueno before finishing with real quality. But more drama was shortly to follow as Panama exuberantly celebrated the goal. In the melee of substitutes running onto the pitch to mob Philips, Luis Heriquez committed an offence that earned him a straight red from referee Arredondo.
One goal up but down to ten men, Panama set about holding onto their lead, forcing Guatemala into launching hopeful long balls into the box. Exhorting his team to defend, coach Gimares was the next to earn the ire of referee Arredondo and after a series of warnings, he too was sent off. Guatemala continued to press but their cause suffered a blow on 78 minutes when Flores received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
With Guatemala desperately searching for an equalizer in the dying minutes, it was Panama who put a seal on their victory with a break away goal right at the death. Rivera drove into the corner of the penalty area only to be brought down by Cabrera, referee Arredondo having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped captain Baloy, who had been immaculate throughout expertly marshalling the Panama back-line, to hammer home an unstoppable penalty.
Having been defeated in the semi-finals in 2005, Panama have now gone one better in 2007 where they will meet either hosts El Salvador or holders Costa Rica in Sunday’s Copa de Naciones Digicel final.
Panama: Oscar McFarlane, Carlos Rivera, Roman Torres, Juan Perez, Alberto Blanco, Gabriel Torres (Victor Herrera), Rolando Escobar (Ubaldo Guardia), Luis Henriquez, Anel Canales (Ricardo Philips), Amilcar Heriquez, Felipe Baloy
Guatemala: Ricardo Trigueño; Yoni Flores, Gustavo Cabrera, Claudio Albizuriz, José Contreras, Elmer Ponciano, Marvín Ávila (Gregory Ruiz), Fredy Thompson (Florendo Martinez), Héctor de Mata, Carlos Quinonez, Cesar Alegria
