CIUDAD PANAMA – Panamanian side Independiente are winners of Group B of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup after a decisive 5-0 victory over CD FAS of El Salvador in their group stage finale on Wednesday night at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama.
With the three points, Independiente leapfrog over Nicaragua’s Real Esteli to claim top spot in the group with 10 points, while Real Esteli advance to the final eight as the second-place team with nine points.
Independiente went right to work on getting an early goal to make sure nerves would not be a factor and they were handsomely rewarded when Victor Avila gave the hosts a 1-0 advantage in the 8’ by sweeping in a squared ball.
CD FAS tried to respond and had two chances in three minutes through Rudy Clavel and Jerry Ramirez, but on both, Independiente GK Eddie Roberts was ready to make the save.
The night just seemed to be favoring Independiente and they added a massive insurance goal in the 64’ when Jorge Serrano’s shot was blocked, but it fell into the path of Rafael Aguila, who fired home for a 2-0 lead.
The party was on in Panama and minutes later it became a 3-0 Independiente lead on a strong right-footed finish from Carlos Small in the 65’.
FAS had a chance to pull one back when a foul from Independiente’s Davis Contreras in the 75’ led to a penalty, but Ramirez’s attempt flew over the crossbar.
Jorge Serrano added to the festivities in the Panamanian capital with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area for a 4-0 lead in the 79’.
Angel Valverde’s late penalty conversion in the 88’ then capped the magical night for the Canaleros, cementing the 5-0 scoreline.
