Penedo urges minnows to land a knockout blow
PANAMA have gained a reputation as the most physical side at the World Cup but goalkeeper Jaime Penedo admits they are struggling to punch their weight.
If t h e C e n t ra l A me r i c a n s lose against England, it would almost certainly secure a last-16 berth for Gareth Southgate’s team with a game to spare.
Much was made of Panama’s aggressive approach in their 3-0 defeat by Belgium in the opening round of group matches but Penedo, who made his senior international debut in 2003, is worried about their lack of bite in attack.
“We know we need more up front,” he said. “The team do not have much punch. But when we are looking for that punch, we also have to keep order in other areas of the pitch and that is what we are working on.”
While t h ey wi l l try to be more effective at the top end of the pitch, Panama’s priority is also to stop Harry Kane.
The England captain has made a flying start to the tournament, scoring twice to earn his team a 2-1 win over Tunisia, and he has already expressed his desire to match Cristiano Ronaldo stride for stride in Russia.
Ronaldo has four goals to Kane’s two and Kane will fancy his chances of reducing the gap again on Sunday, especially after Romelu Lukaku — another centre-forward with his eyes on the Golden Boot — claimed a double against Panama four days ago.
Penedo said: “Harry Kane is a great player. He is already with a great club and he is wanted by the best clubs in Europe.
“We need to avoid giving him many chances to score. He is a penalty-box player and we have to be very careful of him.”
Panama are coached by Hernan Dario Gomez, the former Colombia coach who joked that he would drink two bottles of vodka if the team manage to qualify for the last 16.
One of Gomez’s predecessors, Gary Stempel, says Panama would be overjoyed with a point against England.
Stempel was in charge from 2008-09 and has kept a close eye on the senior side, as he now oversees Panama’s Under-17 team.
He said: “Panama would be happy with a draw against England. They lost a game but they are enjoying themselves and have the whole country behind them.
“Panamanians are great natural athletes. You only have to look at their history of boxers and baseball players. They have a special gift and it was only a matter of time before they qualified for a World Cup.
“All of them have had to make great sacrifices, not only the players, but people who have supported them, their parents and family members. Sacrifices greater than that of any English or Belgian player. I am happy for them because they deserve it.”