Panama edge TT 1-0

After the TT defence failed to clear a Panama corner, midfielder Rolando Escobar blew past left-back Justin Hoyte before sending a pin-point cross from the right. The massively-built Torres rose over the combative but diminutive Shannon Gomez and buried his header to the right of goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.

Panama, fielding a virtually experienced squad, were clearly superior to the home team who included three debutants in their starting 11 – Shannon Gomez as right-back, Tyrone Charles on the right flank and Neveal Hackshaw as defensive midfielder, with midfielders Dwane James and Akeem Garcia, as well as defender Jamal Jack all getting their first international caps, as second-half substitutes.

A power outage in the Couva area caused the match to be delayed by ten minutes, but, when action began, Panama, who were clearly the more cohesive outfit, imposed their will on proceedings and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 16 minutes.

Ataullah Guerra, who had a disappointing display, was lucky not to be sanctioned by referee Sherwin Moore of Guyana when he appeared to strike opposing central midfielder Anibal Godoy with an elbow, while challenging for an aerial ball.

Moments later, Hoyte, who looked unsure of himself in the left-back role, was toyed by the duo of Ricardo Buitrago and Escobar, who set up Rolando Blackburn but the striker’s right-footed shot was saved at point-blank range.

The crowd, estimated at 3,500, hardly had moments to cheer in the first half, but Khaleem Hyland, handed the captain’s armband by coach Stephen Hart, almost got himself in trouble in stoppage time as he reacted angrily to a challenge from Escobar but Moore prevented a brawl from ensuing.

Striker Willis Plaza struggled for service, with Guerra and Hyland en­gaged in scraps with the Panama midfielders while Kevin Molino was overworked, Charles was a total let-down and Hackshaw appearing nervous on debut.

However, the Panama keeper Jaime Penedo finally had a save to make, in the 49th, as Plaza collected a long ball from centre-back Sheldon Bateau, got between stoppers Torres and Harold Cummings and drilled a left-footer which Penedo stopped to his left.

Garcia was unlucky to receive a booking, less than a minute after making his entry onto the field. But Panama continued pressing for a second goal, as Blackburn met an out-swinging corner from Escobar and forced a fine save with a powerful header.

Two minutes later (69th), Hyland lazily lost possession and, with Hackshaw out of position, Escobar waltzed through the vacant

middle but his 30-metre blast crashed off the crossbar, with Phillip well beaten.

James, half-brother of Molino, looked decent in his 20-odd minutes on the field. His right-footed shot fell to Guerra who took a while to decide whether to shoot or dribble and, in the end, his left-footer trickled wide of Penedo’s goal.

Another player who did not impress — Jack — was left for dead by Blackburn but Phillip came out to deny the striker from widening the lead in the 76th.