MIAMI, Florida, CMC – Second-half goals from José Fajardo and Michael Amir Murillo propelled Panama to a 2-1 win over Caribbean Football Union third-ranked Martinique in Group C of the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Friday in the United States.
The Martiniquans held the Panamanians scoreless for the first half before Fajardo and Murillo struck twice in 12 minutes to give the Central American side the edge in a tight contest at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison in, New Jersey.
Karl Fabien got a consolation goal for Martinique in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Still, the damage had already been done earlier, and the CFU side was left to ponder their defending and decision to push for goals after the halftime break.
Panama moved to the top of Group C with six points from two matches and clinched a place in the quarterfinals for the first time in four years after El Salvador, on one end, and Costa Rica, on one point, played to a goalless draw in a later match in the nightcap match of the doubleheader.
Martinique is still in the hunt for a place in the final eight with three points from their two matches and will advance with a win against the Costa Ricans in their last game on Tuesday at the Red Bull Arena.
On Tuesday, the Panamanians still have one match against El Salvador at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. They will be looking to complete the sweep in the group to boost their morale further.
Martinique goalkeeper Théo de Percin finished the first 45 minutes with three quality saves and kept Les Matinino in the game heading into the break. Still, Panama broke through in the 57th minute when Eric Davis delivered a cross from the left flank, and an unmarked Fajardo led the ball in from the edge of the six-yard box.
Chasing the equalizer, Martinique made a few attack-minded changes. Still, Los Canaleros pounced on the opportunity, doubling their lead in the 69th minute when Alberto Quintero chipped the ball over the CFU side’s defense, and Murillo knocked a right-footed shot over the head of De Percin.
Fabien made the final score-line more palatable with his goal in stoppage time, but the Martiniquans know they will have their work cut out in their last match.
The Arena was packed for the all-Central American battle later, and the goalies of the two teams grabbed the headlines in the stalemate.
Between the El Salvador uprights, Mario Gonzalez made three saves, Kevin Chamorro stopped two shots for the Costa Ricans, and the two teams failed to reward the crowd with goals.
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