Action from the XVIII Juegos Bolivarianos match between Panama and Bolivia (white jersey) on November 23, 2017, in Santa Marta, Colombia. (Photo courtesy of Federación Panameña de Fútbol)
SANTA MARTA, Colombia – Despite earning a 2-1 win over Peru on Friday at the Coliseo Menor Parque Deportivo Bolivariano, Panama was eliminated from the XVIII Juegos Bolivarianos.
After opening the competition’s group stage with three straight losses, the Canaleros finished strongly, posting victories in their last two matches and finishing fifth with a 2W-0D-3L (8GF, 16GA) record.
Fernando Mena (22’) and Claudio Goodridge (36’) scored for Panama, while Xavier Tavera Guinet (30’) netted for the South American side.
"We knew that the tournament was demanding and the important thing is that we closed well,” said Mena. “The Juegos Bolivarianos serve us to arrive with rhythm to (next month’s) Central American Games, where our direct rivals will be.”
The Central American Games’ futsal competition will be contested December 12-16, 2017, in Managua, Nicaragua.
