Action from the World Cup qualifier between host Panama (red jersey) and Haiti on March 29, 2016, in Panama City. (Photo: FIFA.com)
PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama (2W-1D-1L, 7 points) scored late to earn a 1-0 win over 10-man Haiti (0-1-3, 1) in a fourth-round CONCACAF qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
Felipe Baloy struck for the only goal in the 81st minute as the host remained second in Group B, three points behind first-place Costa Rica (3-1-0, 10), which produced a 3-0 win over third-place Jamaica (1-1-2, 4). Each of the Haitians’ first four games in the current stage have been decided by one goal or fewer, conceding only three times, but never scoring.
The visitor’s Reginal Goreux was ejected in the 68th minute after being issued his second caution, an instance that was followed by Baloy’s game-winner. From Gabriel Torres’ left-sided corner kick, the Atlas standout glanced a header into the right side of the net.
It was the third competitive meeting between the sides in less than nine months, with the first two ending in draws (CONCACAF Gold Cup: 1-1, World Cup Qualifying: 0-0).
Group B returns to action on September 2. Panama and Haiti will host Jamaica and Costa Rica, respectively.
