MIAMI, Florida – Panama’s 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup opened with a 5-1 defeat to the Czech Republic in Group D action on Monday at the Svyturys Arena in Klaipeda.
It was a tough start for the Canaleros, who fell behind 3-0 after just nine minutes into the first period. The European then took a 4-0 lead into halftime, but a much stronger Panama side emerged during the second stanza.
Outside of a goal 10 minutes into the second period, the Panama defense kept the Czech Republic attack under wraps for the duration.
The Central Americans then found their first goal of the tournament in the final moments with Claudio Goodridge providing the score for the 5-1 final scoreline.
The fourth and final Concacaf representative at the Futsal World Cup will take to the court on Tuesday as the United States battle reigning world champions Argentina in Group F at the Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius.
The U.S. are appearing in their sixth Futsal World Cup and there would be no better way to begin their quest for their first Final since the 1992 edition than by taking down the Argentines.
Leading the way for the U.S. will be 2021 Concacaf Futsal Championship Best Young Player winner Tomas Pondeca and captain Everson Maciel.
