It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but Canada managed to hold off a feisty Panamanian team on Friday in Jamaica to move on to the final of the CONCACAF U-17 Championship.
The Canucks defeated their Central American opponents 1-0 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with the lone goal coming from a set piece early in the match. Central defender Luca Gasparotto rose above the Panama defense and headed in a corner kick in the eighth minute of play, helping push the team into the championship game on Sunday vs. the US.
It will be the first time Canada have ever competed for a CONCACAF title at this level.
The goal punctuated a frenetic first half which saw both teams attack with the freedom of knowing that they were already qualified for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup by virtue of advancing to the semifinal round.
It was Panama who pushed the play for much of the opening 45 minutes, although the Central Americans could not convert their superior possession into any real scoring chances.
Despite being outplayed, the Canadians actually looked the more dangerous of the two sides in the first half, and they could have had a couple more goals if not for strong goalkeeping from their opponents and lackluster finishing on their own part.
The second half was more of the same. Playing on one less day of rest than their opponents, Canada appeared to be tiring and resorted to sitting back, which allowed Panama to attack relentlessly for almost the entire half.
It was all for nought for the Panamanians, however, who would hit the woodwork twice in the final 20 minutes of play. The pressure also forced Montreal Impact Academy goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau into a handful of good saves as time winded down, but in the end it was Crepeau and Canada – who have yet to allow a goal in four matches - who assured they’ll post a best-ever finish for the country in this tournament.
Canada have finished third in the tournament three times, most recently in 1994.
Check out the Feb. 24 edition of the ExtraTime Radio podcast, featuring D.C. United's Charlie Davies, Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando and league executive Nelson Rodrigueztalking about the new playoff structure.
