Panama vow to ‘play hard’ in big clash
Panama defender Harold Cummings has raised the prospect of a physical World Cup battle with England by warning them they will “play hard” tomorrow.
England boss Gareth Southgate has told his players about Panama’s rugged approach after the Central American minnows picked up five bookings in their tournament opener against Belgium.
Southgate has instructed his players not to be intimidated as England seek to build on their opening World Cup victory against Tunisia.
“We are going there to play hard,” Cummings said. “We are going there to compete.
“We will do our job against any team we face. England have players that are competing at a really high level, and I think that is an advantage they have over us.
“It is going to be man versus man and we are not going to look at the names on the back of the England jerseys.” England, ranked 12th in the world, are 43 places higher than Panama in the FIFA standings, but Hernan Dario Gomez’s side stood up for themselves against starstudded Belgium in Sochi, before going down 3-0. Cummings, who plays for San Jose Earthquakes, believes Panama can stifle the threat of Harry Kane.
“Harry Kane is one of the best number nines in the world, so it is going to be a tough job,” said Cummings, who has made the World Cup after breaking his leg in an accident at home last year.
“But we have prepared for this and all of us on the team have worked hard to take on this challenge. It is a good platform for us to show that Panama is ready for this level.”