Team profile: Panama

1.2205795-2737274333 — Luis Tejada Image Credit: Supplied

Appearances: None
Best finish: N/A
Manager: Hernan Dario Gomez
Star Player: Luis Tejada

A national holiday was declared in October after booking their ticket to Russia with a last gasp 2-1 win at home to neighbouring Costa Rica saw them finish third in their North and Central American qualifying pool behind Mexico and Costa Rica, a point clear of the USA.

The fact Panama managed to qualify and not America – thanks to home draws over Mexico, the USA, and that Costa Rica win - makes it all the more impressive, especially given that the US has a population of 320 million to Panama’s four million.

This is not entirely out of character from Panama however as they have twice finished runners-up in the North and Central American Gold Cup as recently as 2005 and 2013 (losing to the USA on both occasions), also reaching the quarters last time out in 2017.

Now however, coach Hernan Dario Gomez, who led Colombia and Ecuador to World Cups in 1998 and 2002 respectively, has got it together and finally got them over the line in World Cup qualification.

To do this he has had to rely on an ageing squad though. Defender Roman Torres of the Seattle Sounders, who scored that 88th minute winner over Costa Rica to get Panama to Russia, is considered ‘a rising star’ at the age of 31.

Then there is respective Peru and Colombian-based midfielders Alberto Quintero, 30, and Gabriel Gomez, 33, playing behind the likes of respective Guatemala and Peru-based strike duo Blas Perez, 37 and Luis Tejada, 36 - the latter of which has scored 43 goals in 143 appearances for his country.

This experience may not last the pace against the sprightlier-likes of Premier League youth in England and Belgium’s squad. But a 1-1 draw in a friendly against Wales in November followed by a 6-0 friendly defeat to Switzerland in March, leaves you split over how dangerous they will be.