The Panama women’s national football team, in the direction Mexican Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Quintana, bill for golden cup with the core squad competing at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with the addition of some new faces and some familiar ones such as Alajuelense striker Kenia Rangel.
“We know they are tough opponents, but it doesn’t matter if it’s Brazil or any other team, we’re preparing to compete and face everyone,” the 28-year-old player told local media.
Rangel hasn’t been to the World Cup, but he wants to be key in the Panamanian attack, which has striker Marta Cox as a reference. Namely, Cox is the face of Panamanian football, a Xolos de Tijuana player, he was invited to set breaks and goals in the Canal team.
IN Australia and New Zealand, Cox She was the undisputed figure of the team, and is remembered for her free-kick goal against France, the first for the Panamanian women’s national team at the World Cup and nominated for the best goal of the tournament.
In back, women’s red has Wendy Natis in the middle, playing in the EC Bahía from Brazil and Yomira Pinzón (Mario Méndez from Panama), in front of the experienced but young goalkeeper (age 22) Yenith Bailey, who was a golden glove in the Concacaf qualifiers en route to the 2018 World Cup in France.
They complete the defense, on the wings, Carolina Baltrip-Reyes of SS Lazio and Hilary Jaénwho plays for the University of Delaware.
The midfield will be led by three more players from the World Cup: Aldrith Quintero from France’s Fleury 91, Schiandra González from Santa Fe and experienced Natalia Mills, who plays in Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, from Costa Rica.
Panama will make their tournament debut in Group B next Wednesday against Colombia at the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. Three days later they will play against Puerto Rico, and they close the group stage on February 27 against Brazil.
For ‘Nacho’ Quintana, The Panamanian team has the World Cup tag and must defend it on the field.
“We will not be victims in any game, whether it’s Brazil or Colombia, we have to go out and represent the country, with the 23 best players we have,” the coach said.
The last match between Panamanians and Colombians took place in June 2023, before their participation in the World Cup, and ended 1-1.
They faced Brazil in the World Cup group stage and Panama went down 4-0.
“You have to aim high, really be able to strive and for development to work, if there are no wins, there will be virtually no sustainable development,” said Quintana, who is in his fourth year in charge of the team.
Panama qualified directly for the Gold Cup, leaving behind Jamaica, one of the powers in the Concacaf area, and sending Guatemala to the play-offs.
Source: Panama America
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