By: EFE
The national teams of Peru and Panama tied 1-1 in a friendly match played this Sunday at the National Stadium in Lima as part of their preparation for the World Cup qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup 2022.
The goals were scored by the Peruvian Alex Valera, at 30 minutes, and by Panamanian Abdiel Ayarza, at 71.
Although both teams presented squads made up mostly of players from their national leagues, the meeting had an intense process and had risky actions in the two goals.
While Peru leaned their game on the left sector, to look for combinations between Christopher Gonzáles, Marcos López and Andy Polo, Panama tried to impose the experience of players like Armando Cooper, Alberto Quint ero and Abdiel Ayarza, the latter two well known in Peru for playing in the national League 1.
The Panamanians had the clear first option at 10 minutes into the game, but the goalkeeper Pedro Gallese ratified his great reflexes to prevail in a heads up over José Fajardo, who had been enabled by Cooper.
Peru replied two minutes later with a shot by Gonzáles that was deflected to the corner by the goalkeeper Mosquera, who on the next play again anticipated Valera with a deep pass.
In the following minutes, Panama took control of the game, with short and quick touches, The 24 Ayarza entered from the right at speed and sent a cross shot that went past Gallese but went wide very little.
The Peruvians balanced the actions towards the 30, with a better recovery in the midfield, and minutes later Horacio Calcaterra anticipated Cooper in a start and sent a shot that was blocked by Mosquera, but the ball was left at the feet of Valera, who broke parity with a cross shot.
At the beginning of the second half, Peru seemed looser, with quick touches and progressions, but lacked depth, while Panama progressively advanced their lines to seek parity with daring.
When 71 minutes were played, the visitors took advantage of an error in departure of the recently admitted Nilson Loyola and they matched the account with a low shot from Ayarza that did justice to what was seen on the pitch.
Panamá, which occupies fourth place in the final octagonal that grants the right to play a playoff in the eliminatory a of Concacaf, faced this match with his sights set on the matches he will play with Costa Rica, the 27 from January; Jamaica, January 30; and Mexico, on February 2.
Peru, meanwhile, is in fifth position of the South American qualifiers, which grants the right to the play-offs, and is preparing to play crucial matches as a visitor against Colombia, on January 28, and Ecuador, on February 1, at home.
After this Sunday’s friendly, the Blanquirroja will host Jamaica next Thursday at the National Stadium in Lima.