In a time when Panama dominates at pleasure Costa Rica national teamEven Costa Rican soccer players envy one of the keys of the Canaleros. In the Tricolor They highlight the Panamanian process again and again, although they see it as something impossible to copy in the national team.
Coach Thomas Christiansen assumed command of the Panamanians in mid-2020. Although he did not manage to qualify them for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they kept him in charge and, in addition, extended his contract until 2026. For the Costa Rican players, this commitment to Stability has been decisive in the good times that Panamanians are going through.
“In Costa Rica it is complicated to carry out a process, but Panama has had the same base for many years, and that has allowed them to consolidate an idea of the game. We didn’t even reach 10 games together. It is difficult in our country because everything depends on the results. Now we have a revenge against Panama, but we must be intelligent and not play with resentment,” commented Jefferson Brenes, prior to this Monday’s crucial confrontation at the Rommel Fernández stadium (8 pm).
The 1-0 defeat, suffered last Thursday at the National Stadium, seriously complicated Costa Rica’s aspirations in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Nations League. In addition, it left the possibility of securing a direct ticket to the Gold Cup uphill. This setback meant the sixth consecutive fall of the Tricolor against the team led by Christiansen.
Despite everything, throughout the country there is confidence in reversing the situation and achieving a historic result in Panamanian territory. However, the challenge not only lies in ending the losing streak, but also in overcoming the disadvantage of the tiebreaker criterion by visiting goal, which favors the canaleros in case of overall equality.
“We know we are down in the series, but it is only a goal difference. We have 90 minutes to change history and we cannot despair. The stadium will be full, they will be at home, but this group trusts itself. We have worked well and we are clear that we must take risks, because we are risking our lives,” said Brenes.
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Furthermore, the future of interim coach Claudio Vivas is at stake. Although the coach and the players consider that the pessimism surrounding the team does not reflect the level shown on the field, the reality is that each confrontation with Panama has meant suffering.
“Statistics may be important for journalists, but we leave them aside. We are focused on passing this series. If we win, the comments about losing six games in a row end. It is only a goal difference, and we cannot give in to despair. We trust in ourselves and we know that we must play an intelligent game. In the group we have talked a lot about what is at stake, and we are very clear about it,” concluded Jefferson.
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