MONTERREY, Mexico – Panama have advanced to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoff thanks to a 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in their Group B finale of the 2022 Concacaf W Championship in Monterrey.
Marta Cox was the hero for the Canaleras at the Estadio Universitario, notching a goal late in the first half to deliver the three precious points to Panama, who will take part in the 10-team Inter-Confederation Playoff next February by virtue of their third-place finish in the group.
The first chance of the day went the way for Trinidad and Tobago, as a free kick from Karyn Forbes in the 18’ looked to be destined for the top left corner of net, only for 2018 CWC Golden Glove winner and Panama GK Yenith Bailey to soar to her right to make the save.
There would be a goal before halftime and it came off the boot of Cox in the 43’ when she received a pass from Lineth Cedeno, eluded a defender and then beat Trinidad and Tobago GK Kimika Forbes for a 1-0 Panama lead.
Panama came out for the second half with the same intensity and intent on finding a second goal to put the Soca Warriors on the ropes.
Trinidad and Tobago managed to absorb the pressure and then started putting the Panama defense on their heels a bit, as play opened up entering the final 20 minutes,
In the end, though, Bailey and the Panama defender were able to nail down the clean sheet victory to book their playoff spot.
