LA CHORRERA, Panama -- Mathieu Laurent scored in the 8th minute and Canada defeated Panama 1-0 on Friday in an under-17 friendly at the Estadio Agustin "Muquita" Sanchez.

The match was the first of a two-game series that will conclude on Sunday at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.

Both teams are preparing for the finals of the 2013 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, which Panama will host in April.

Panama entered the game on a high note, sweeping two friendlies from visiting El Salvador by identical 2-1 scores on November 16 and 18.

The Canadians were coming off a 2-1 loss to the host United States in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last Sunday.