England continue their quest to reach the World Cup knockout phase against Panama on Sunday.
Ahead of the Group G encounter in Nizhny Novgorod, Press Association Sport’s Simon Peach takes a closer look at the Central American minnows.
How did they get to Russia?
Juntos y fortalecidos??. #PanamáEnRusia #TodosSomosPanamá pic.twitter.com/3Hwkcm7YgS
— FEPAFUT (@fepafut) June 23, 2018
Sunday is Panama’s second match of their first World Cup. In 2013, their hopes of reaching the finals were cruelly denied as the United States came back in stoppage time in inflict a remarkable late defeat. This time, it is the Americans watching the finals from afar. Their loss to already eliminated Trinidad and Tobago allowed Panama to book their place via an 88th-minute winner against rivals Costa Rica.
Who is the coach?
What can we expect from them?
Selección nacional en su reconocimiento de cancha y entrenamiento en el estadio Nizhny Novgorod. #PanamáEnRusia #TodosSomosPanamá #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/azczMOCuUB
— FEPAFUT (@fepafut) June 23, 2018
“If we lose then fine, but let us not get thrashed,” Gomez said in the build-up to the tournament. Panama are less technically able than Tunisia and far less mobile, with many of their players 30 or over. That experience might make life difficult for England, so too their physicality in sweltering Nizhny Novgorod. Yet the pace at Gareth Southgate’s disposal could well give them a fright,
What is their recent form?
Who is the player to watch?
