Panama makes history in women’s football and U-17

Panama will have a double chance to qualify for two soccer world championships on the same day and at the same time, in two different categories and branches, something never seen before in Panamanian soccer.

Panama’s women’s national team will face Paraguay at New Zealand’s Hamilton Stadium today (20:00 Isthmus time) in their last chance to reach the 2023 Australia-New Zealand World Cup.

At the same time, but at the Doroteo Flores Stadium in Guatemala, home of the Concacaf World Cup, Panama U-17 will face Honduras for a ticket to the 2023 World Cup in Peru.

This is an unprecedented night in Panamanian football and both, the Women’s Red and the so-called “Rojita”, both have the opportunity to write a new history of Panamanian football.

Girls against Paraguay

Women’s Panama is playing its second play-off in its football history, which is why, coming into the game against Paraguay, “we will hit the table”, says Marta Cox.

The girls, led by Mexican coach Ignacio “Nacho” Quintana, trained yesterday at the Korikori Park sports complex in the city of Hamilton, New Zealand.

Panama just beat Papua New Guinea 2-0, even though they beat the current Oceania champions, they missed a few scoring options, something that needs to be corrected and they can’t afford to make those mistakes against the Guarani team

“Paraguay is as excited as we are about going to the World Cup. Illusion and Dream I think will be the most dangerous of these two teams,” were the words of “Nacha” Quintana about his opponent today.

Paraguay are directed by Marcello Frigério and also come in search of a ticket to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Paraguayans are coming off the back of beating China Tapiéi 4-2 on penalties before finishing with a 2-2 draw.