PANAMA CITY, Panama – When it comes to CONCACAF play, Arabe Unido knows how to get the job done.
On Thursday, the Expreso Azul completed its 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League (SCL) Round of 16 series with a 3-0 win over visiting Central FC, advancing to the quarterfinals, 5-1 on aggregate.
The impressive Renan Addles (3’, 23’) netted a pair of first-half goals and Carlos Small (69’) added one in the second to power the Panamanians to victory.
“The boys showed from the first minute that they wanted to score the goal in the opening minutes,” said Arabe Unido head coach Sergio Guzman. “The boys did really well. We made it through and got the result, which is most important.”
The victory is the latest example of Arabe’s recent excellence in CONCACAF club competition.
Dating back to the 2013/14 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL), Arabe Unido has compiled a sparkling 12W-1D-5L record internationally.
“One always tries to start in the best way of winning, of finding a balance, of scoring goals and not conceding. This team is learning how to do it,” remarked Guzman. “At the CONCACAF level, it’s difficult because these teams give it their all. They are very strong. We have to focus on ourselves, on playing in triangles, keeping the ball, opening out wide and finishing in the middle.”
Arabe Unido will visit Chorrillo FC in domestic action on Sunday, before meeting host Aguila in the SCL quarterfinal, first leg on August 16.
Guzman knows a daunting challenge awaits his team.
“We know that we are going to face a team from El Salvador, which has a football that is advancing,” the 47-year-old finished. “We have to start to look at things and see how we prepare a team to face such a good team.”