Courtesy: Winnipeg Free Press/The Canadian Press


Canada eliminated with 8-5 loss to Panama at CONCACAF futsal championship

04/07/2012

GUATEMALA CITY - Canada was eliminated at the CONCACAF futsal championship after a 8-5 loss to Panama on Wednesday night.

Canada (0-3) needed to win by three or more goals to bridge the goal difference and have a chance at advancing to the semifinal. The Canadians were looking to earn a chance at qualifying for the FIFA futsal World Cup in Thailand this year.

"I couldn't be any prouder of our work ethic," said Canadian head coach Sipho Sibiya. "We just need to keep playing. We have a good team, it's just that lack of experience when it comes down to the little things, the details."

Panama opened the scoring early in the first half, but Canada came back with a pair of quick goals by Steve De Blasio to take a 2-1 lead.

Panama then equalized in the 13th minute as Miguel Lasso hit the target.

Before the first half was done, Aquis Alvarado, Claudio Goodridge and Lasso made it 5-3 for Panama, with Matthew Rios scoring for Canada on a penalty kick.

Rios scored again early in the second half to bridge the difference at one, but Panama then scored a pair of goals to pull back ahead.

"We gave up some bad goals and whenever you do that in futsal it's very tough to get them back," said Sibiya. "We gifted them three goals, and we're playing an uphill battle all game long.

"We're with teams, but we gift them a few goals and it becomes difficult with experienced teams to get those goals back."

Futsal is a five-a-side indoor version of soccer, played over two 20-minute periods. It is believed to date back to Uruguay in 1930.

Guatemala, Panama, Mexico and Costa Rica advanced to the semifinals on Friday.

CONCACAF covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com