A victory for the Panamanian team in San José will allow them to separate eight points over the Tico representative, in fourth place in the octagonal
SAINT JOSEPH — Costa Rica Y Panama will play this Thursday a real final on the way to the Qatar World Cup 2022in which the Costa Rican team does not benefit from another result than the victory against a rival that with a victory would give a blow of authority to fight for the three direct tickets granted by the Concacaf.
The match, which will be directed by the American referee Ismail Elfath, will be played at the San José National Stadium with a capacity reduced to 60%, within the framework of the restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Costa Rica receives Panama in a decisive clash towards the World Cup. EPA
Costa Rica is in fifth place in the octagonal Concacaf qualifying round with 9 points in 8 rounds, below Canada (16), the United States (15), Mexico (14) and Panama (14), who are in the fight for the three direct tickets to the World Cup and the play-off against a rival from Oceania to which the fourth-placed team will be entitled.
Hence the importance of this match for Costa Ricawell if he wins Panama he’ll come within two points and he’ll be right into the fight.
For Panamaa victory would represent the opportunity to keep disputing the first places and leave very beaten and almost without possibilities to Costa Rica.
«The most important is Panama. For us it is a final, it is a game that will open the way to Qatar and we see it like this, that there is no further and we have to go with everything to win,» said Costa Rican defender Kendall Waston.
Held in the hands of the French PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the selection of Costa Rica of the Colombian coach Luis Fernando Suárez, has a great debt in his offense, since he has only scored 7 goals in the 8 games so far and has been weak in the generation of attack.
«You have to respond responsibly and with quality, knowing what is being played and what is being represented. This group is aware of what each one is playing for and what is being played as a team,» said the coach this week.
On the other hand, the selection of Panamaof the Spanish-Danish coach Thomas Christiansen, knows that he has a golden opportunity to approach the worldbut to do so he must first win a qualifying match on a field of Costa Rica.
The technician of the canaleros, who came out of mandatory isolation this Tuesday due to covid-19 after testing negative, recently said in an interview that «it is a game of life or death» in which Panamanians will seek «a very good result.» positive».
Panamanian striker Gabriel Torres described the commitment as «crucial», since «it can divide the tie», and affirmed that the group is «very committed and aware of what will be played against Costa Rica«.