Martinique will be looking for their first win in the CONCACAF Nations League when they visit Panama. Les Matinino finished last with just one point in a group that included the Panamanians and Costa Rica. Los Canaleros lost this tournament’s semi-finals to Canada the previous time out (2-0).
Preview (Panama vs. Martinique)
With multiple recent strong performances, they have left a lasting impression on the area. Although the Panamanians have yet to win a CONCACAF trophy. In the Gold Cup final in July, Thomas Christiansen’s team held Mexico without a goal until the 88th minute. They finished second for the third time in that event. The former Leeds United manager took over the Panamanian national team in 2018. He described it as his greatest challenge. The Danish coach has since produced some impressive results. His team has beaten Costa Rica twice, as well as 2021 Gold Cup semi-finalists Qatar (4-0). They also lost to the USA on their home turf to advance into the Gold Cup final earlier this year.
Panama improved defensively in 2022–23 after giving up nine goals in the group stage of this competition in 2019. The team didn’t concede another goal until the semifinals and finished the group stage unbeaten. Martinique hasn’t typically displayed that level of firepower in its two prior outings at this competition. They have scored just once in the 2022-23 group round.
Marc Collat’s team ended a winless streak against Central America that extended back to 2017 by defeating El Salvador 2-1 in their inaugural game while they were eliminated early from the Gold Cup this past summer. In the 2022-23 Nations League group stage, they let up six of the nine goals they conceded. This includes five after the 85th minute. In addition to being winless in this competition, Martinique has never defeated Panama. This despite making some impressive plays in their last two encounters with them. A narrow 2-1 loss at the Gold Cup this summer and a 0-0 tie in this competition last year.
Team News
Ricardo Hinds is the only player chosen for this match who has never received an international cap, while Kahiser Lenis made his senior team debut in their most recent match, scoring a brace in a 2-1 victory over Bolivia at the end of August. Ismael Diaz scored four goals to lead the way for Los Canaleros in that competition, Jose Fajardo scored twice, and Orlando Mosquera had one clean sheet.
Yoel Barcenas, who was not selected for this game, led them in goals at the last Nations League competition with two, and Carrasquilla and Fidel Escobar were both picked to the Best XI. Only seven of the Martinique players chosen for the team’s first two matches in this competition have received more than ten caps, with captain Daniel Herelle still needing nine more matches to complete a century and Emmanuel Vermignon needing just one more to reach 20.
Martinique’s sole goal scorer during their previous Nations League campaign was Mickael Biron, and their lone goal against Panama during the most recent Gold Cup—the first time Les Matinino have ever scored against Los Canaleros—came from Karl Fabien. Panama is entering this competition with a winning mentality, and we think their physicality and balanced assault will be enough to defeat their Caribbean opponents on Thursday.
Panama 2 – 0 Martinique
For more football previews, click here
