24/11/2024

Cordoba's Panama on the cusp of Copa history at Sargent's expense

Hace 5 meses

Cordoba's Panama on the cusp of Copa history at Sargent's expense

Norwich City’s summer signing Jose Cordoba faces a Copa America shoot out with new club mate Josh Sargent’s USMNT.

Norwich City’s summer signing Jose Cordoba faces a Copa America shoot out with new club mate Josh Sargent’s USMNT.

Norwich City’s summer signing Jose Cordoba faces a Copa America shoot out with new club mate Josh Sargent’s US to reach the last eight.

Panama shocked the hosts 2-1 in their Group C clash, that saw both sides reduced to 10 players, to set up a nervy finale in the early hours of Tuesday morning (UK time).

The 23-year-old centre back, who will link up with the Championship club from Bulgarian football after international duty, won rave reviews for his performance against the Stars and Stripes.

Los Canaleros will seal their first ever quarter-final place, in only their second appearance at the tournament, if they better the US's final group game result.

Sargent’s nation face unbeaten Uruguay at the same time Panama host whipping boys Bolivia. Both countries are locked on three points, but the US have a better goal difference.

Panama’s only other Copa America appearance brought a group win over Bolivia in 2016, and former Leeds boss and head coach Thomas Christiansen knows the stakes are high for Cordoba and his squad.

“When we win, we are like the gods and when we lose it is almost better not to return to the country. That is part of our profession,” he said, at his pre-match press call. “We know what it is like. Let us prepare for the game and hope to bring joy.

“I think, yes, that we can make history by passing to the next phase and it is our main objective that we have now. Right now this is the best game (since I was in charge) if you look back at our two games against Uruguay and the US, and we still have a chance to qualify.

“I said after the US win we needed a couple of hours of euphoria, of being happy, of enjoying the result. Now we are focused on how complicated this game will be. We must be at 100pc because we will have to suffer. It is my job to prepare the players not only physically but mentally.

"Panama is now on the soccer map. This is a chance for us to force even more people to know about the country, their team and above all for the Panamanians who can feel proud of their team.”

Christiansen admits it will be a tense game in Florida as they keep an eye on unfolding events in the US match being played in Kansas.

“The first thing I think about right now is to win in the best way to get the three points,” he said. “And then if in the game something happens elsewhere, and we need to score or maybe we only need a draw, we will have that information.

"If six points is not enough to qualify then, bad luck, but at least we have done what we had to do. It will not be easy. Bolivia will be hurting and will want to leave with a good taste.   

“In both games they have fallen behind pretty early and that has probably prevented them from following the game plan.”

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