Panama forced to overthrow Honduras to stay in the race

PANAMA (AP) — More than four years after Hernán Darío Gomez qualified it for his first World Cup, Panama receives on Thursday an eliminated Honduras led by the Colombian helmsman and obliged to get the three points to avoid being overtaken by Costa Rica in the bid for the repechage or maintain his dream for the ticket direct, as the final three dates of the OCTAGONAL CONCACAF final in Qatar were launched.

It is the return of the “Bolillo” Gómez to the Rommel Fernández stadium, where in October 2017 it beat Costa Rica 2-1 precisely to advance to the World Cup in Russia 2018, helped by a crash of the United States in Trinidad and Tobago.

Nostalgia and thanks aside. Panama, under the leadership of Spanish-Danish coach Thomas Christiansen, needs victory at home to stay in fourth place for a playoff against an Oceanian rival and even continue to aspire to the direct trip.

Canada (25 points), the United States (21) and Mexico (21) are in the direct qualifying zone, followed by Panama (17) and Costa Rica (16). Further down the table with a remote chance is El Salvador (9) and the eliminated Jamaica (7) and Honduras (3).

Costa Rica will host Canada on the same day.

Panama ruined the debut of “Bolillo” Gómez at the helm of Honduras in November in the first leg, by coming back 2-0 over the end and ending up winning the match 3-2.

Panamanians recover against Hondurans the attacker Cecilio Waterman, who has just recovered from a muscle injury. The Chilean Cobresal striker has scored three goals so far in the octagonal, including the one who started the comeback against the Hondurans.

“For many I think it's the last dance, some of these matches will mark us,” said Waterman, alluding to being 31 years old and possibly his last chance to aspire to go to a World Cup. He was not a member of the “Bolillo” Gómez team that played in the 2018 tournament.

“That's why we're going to fight to qualify,” he said.

After the match against Honduras, Panama will visit the United States in Orlando on March 27 and close hosting Canada on the 30th of the same month.

For Christiansen, playing two of the last three games of the octagonal at home is an advantage due to the support of the fans.

“Right now, at this point in the heats, these last three finals, rather than physical, tactical work, is the emotional issue,” Christiansen considered. “I know the enthusiasm that the players, the coaching staff, you and the fans have to get us into another World Cup.”

Gomez, who could not get Honduras out of the well, travels to Panama with a team that dispensed with their main figures, such as forwards Alberth Elis, Anthony Lozano and midfielder Deiby Flores, as their teams in Europe fight not to descend in their respective leagues. Neither is veteran defender Maynor Figueroa.