A spirited India surrendered their slender lead but still had plenty to feel good about as they held world No. The draw against a country that played the FIFA World Cup only a couple of months back and had a number of players from that tournament in its ranks will certainly be rated as the best under head coach Khalid Jamil. For India, Ryan Williams, Australian of Indian descent, struck in the 41st minute but Omar Valencia equalised in the 68th minute to restore parity and ensure that Panama didn’t face the ignominy of a defeat against a country that is 138th in the FIFA listings despite crazy following of the sport.
44 Panama to a 1-1 draw in a FIFA International friendly in Bengaluru on Friday.
A spirited India surrendered their slender lead but still had plenty to feel good about as they held world No. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw in a FIFA International friendly in Bengaluru on Friday.
The best chance that India lost was when Ashique whipped a low cross from the left and Edmund made a mess of it it in the 79th minute. Throughout the game, India’s wide left kept the Panama defenders busy and one such move saw Williams, the former Australia international, who now holds an Indian passport, score the opening. Down by a goal, Panama coach Thomas Christiansen made a few changes in the second half and in the 68th minute found the equaliser, thanks to a brilliant dipping left-footer from Major League Soccer player Omar Valencia. Indian defense was also tested as Panama tried to score the winner but Anwar averted the danger and then Gurpreet saved a shot from World Cupper Carlos Harvey.
