Canada scores early, but can’t hang on against Panama in U-17 semi

Canada took the lead before the five-minute mark, but couldn’t hang on in hostile territory. Ervin Zorrilla’s 81st-minute goal gave Panama a 2-1 win over Canada in a CONCACAF U-17 Championship semifinal in front of a partisan home crowd at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez. Canada’s goal of making it to the U-17 World Cup was achieved simply bu qualifying for the semifinal, but this crop of kids couldn’t repeat the feat of their predecessors — making it to the final of this tournament, that is. Moving onto the bumpy grass pitch at the big stadium for the first time in the tournament, Canada actually looked more comfortable through the first 20 minutes than the home team did. And, before the game was five minutes old, the Canadians got a deserved lead. After a nice switch of play to the left wing, Matthew Chow laid in a perfect cross to Marco Bustos to head home. But, despite dominating possession for the first 20 minutes, the Canadians couldn’t carve out another clear chance. As the game went on, Panama made more and more attacks up the right side, using mobile fullback Jahir Marroquin as its most dangerous weapon. Before the first half was over, Marroquin got down the right side and was able to deliver a ball across the box that Ismael Diaz knocked home. The Canadians struggled to carve out chances in the second half, as Panama dominated the midfield, sapping the energy of the visitors in the Central American heat and humidity. Finally, almost mercifully, in the 81st minute, Zorrilla was able to move the ball in his feet and created enough space for him to place a ball inside the right post from the top of the box. Canada did get a wonderful chance three minutes from the end. A free kick thumped into the box saw the Panamanian defensive line step up collectively, but the flag stayed down as six, count ‘em, six Canadian players found themselves unmarked in the box. But, in the split seconds from the arrival of the ball to the realization there were only white shirts in front of goal, the Canadian players couldn’t find the simple touch to control the ball and press the advantage. It ended up turning into a harmless goal kick. Panama will play Mexico for the championship on Friday, while Canada plays Honduras for third place.