Panama begin final quest for Women’s World Cup berth

MIAMI – This Sunday the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand will witness a new chapter in women’s football history. Panama and Papua New Guinea will take to the pitch looking to stay alive for one of the last tickets to compete in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup later this year in Australia/New Zealand.

The Concacaf side arrives to this quest after a great participation in the Concacaf W Championship that took place in Monterrey, Mexico in July of 2022. Placed in Group B, they put their skill to the test against Olympic Champions Canada, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago.

They showed their strengths and how Panama women’s football has been on the rise against these big teams in hard-fought losses against Canada and Costa Rica. However, with a goal from Marta Cox against Trinidad & Tobago, Las Canaleras finished in third place, earning their spot in the playoffs.

Alongside Cox, Panama’s squad have a lot of names to follow. Captain Laurie Batista and Karla Riley arrive to Auckland ready to keep adding goals to their personal count. In the defensive area, Las Canaleras also have the services of 2018 CWC Golden Glove winner GK Yenith Bailey, who is a key element to the team’s performance.

The Central American side will be facing Oceania team Papua New Guinea, who is also a rookie on the international scene, as they, too, will be looking for their first international participation in a major tournament.

The Lakatois land in New Zealand after winning the Oceania Women’s Nation Cup against Fiji 2-1, a milestone that allowed them to participate in these WWC Playoffs. They saw a change in their Head Coach, facing this new challenge with former professional footballer Spencer Prior at the front, as they aim to qualify for their first World Cup.

The team of Papua New Guinea has rising stars in their ranks, and will have the services of Lucy Maino and Margret Joseph, as well as forward Calista Maneo.

Both teams are looking to write a new chapter for their country and will face each other in search of success, and the ticket to play again in these WWC Playoffs.