Match Report: Canada 0:0 Panama

Canada and Panama drew 0:0 in the final group match of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Sports Authority Field in Denver, CO on Sunday 14 July.

The Canadians threw everything they could forward in the hopes of finding a late 1:0 winner that would have brought them back into contention to advance at the tournament, but ultimately, Canada’s inability to find solutions in the final third saw it exit the competition at the end of group play.

Canada enjoyed spells of good possession in the first half but were unable to make it count despite generating a number of corners and free-kick in dangerous areas.

Marcel De Jong nearly found David Edgar from a corner-kick but the service was flicked away at the near post to deny Edgar an open look at goal.

Panama had two good chances of its own in the first period – but both efforts from inside the area sailed wide of the target.

The Panamanians were back on the front foot to start the second half when Jairo Iimenez hit a firm effort from distance – but Canadian keeper Milan Borjan made a save at full stretch to tip it onto the cross bar.

Canada failed to create many genuine opportunities in the dying stages of the match, but there were two plays on which the Canadian bench appealed for penalty calls, but referee Walter Quesada was unmoved to award a spot kick on either occasion.

In addition to a number of attacking substitutions, Canada threw centre-back David Edgar forward in search of a late winner, and even keeper Borjan joined in the attack for a late set piece.

Despite pushing bodies forward, however, the Canadians failed to create a clear-cut opportunity late in the match and were sent out of the Gold Cup as the full-time whistle sounded.

Canada started the match with Milan Borjan in goal; Nik Ledgerwood, Doneil Henry, David Edgar and Ashtone Morgan across the back-line; Julian De Guzman (c), Pedro Pacheco, Jonathan Osorio, Kyle Bekker and Marcel De Jong in midfield; and Marcus Haber as the lone centre-forward.

Tosaint Ricketts replaced Pacheco in the 58^th minute. Kyle Porter replaced De Jong in the 64^th minute. Issey Nakajima-Farran replaced Bekker in the 83^rd minute.

Panama started the match with Luis Mejia in goal; and Harold Cummings, Blas Perez (c), Marcos Sanchez, Eybir Bonagas, Jean Carlos Cedeno, Rolando Blackburn, Jairo Jimenez, Richard Dixon and Roberto Chen across the starting XI.

Gabriel Gomez Giron replaced J. Perez in the 72^nd minute. Cecilio Waterman replaced Blackburn in the 75^th minute. Anibal Godoy replaced Bonagas in the 88^th minute.

Jean Carlos Cedeno received a yellow card in the 25^th minute.