Action from the under-17 friendly between host Panama and visiting Costa Rica (white jersey) on October 29, 2016, in Panama City. (Photo courtesy of Federación Panameña de Fútbol)
PANAMA CITY – All the goals were scored in the second half as Panama rallied to earn a 2-1 win over Costa Rica in an under-17 friendly on Saturday at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
Costa Rica is preparing for the Central American under-17 qualifying tournament, which it will host November 17-26 at the Estadio Ernesto Rohrmoser in Pavas, San Jose. The top three finishers from that competition will earn berths to the next CONCACAF Under-17 Championship to be played in Panama from April 21-May 7, 2017.
After a tightly-contested first half, the visitor took a 1-0 lead in the 60th minute through Andres Gomez.
Six minutes later, Panama equalized as Angel Orellen fired in a free kick.
Angel Perez netted the 75th minute game-winning goal, eventually finishing off a sequence that started with a corner kick.
"We have been working hard and under the specification of issues raised by our head coach,” said Panama midfielder Victor Griffith. “It was a good game against Costa Rica today that required us to dig deep. These friendlies have helped us.”
The sides will meet again Monday at the Estadio Maracana.
