News

Canada's Final CONCACAF Futsal qualifying

Panama 8, Canada 5

Oscar Hinks scored three goals and Panama defeated Canada 8-5 on Wednesday to keep its hope of earning a place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup alive. The action-packed encounter was the highest-scoring game of the CONCACAF Futsal Championship thus far.

The victory leaves the Canaleros with six points from three Group A games, forcing them to wait on the outcome of the Guatemala-United States encounter, which will be played later this evening.A win by the U.S. would leave all three teams even atop the group standings, while Canada is no longer in contention.

Hinks got the ball rolling for Panama in the 2nd minute, calmly finishing a well-timed pass from Alquis Alvarado.

The Maple Leafs responded with a pair of rapid goals in the 7th and 8th minutes by Steve De Blasio to take a 2-1 lead.

Five minutes later, Panama equalized, taking advantage of a Canadian turnover at midcourt. Alvarado transitioned quickly from defense to offense and found Miguel Lasso, who hit the target..

In the 18th minute, Hinks gave Panama a lead it would never relinquish.The 26-year-old attempted what appeared to be a tame shot. The effort spun up on Canadian goalkeeper Joshua Lemos and popped in the air. As he was falling backwards, Lemos could only swat at the ball with a faint touch before it crossed the line.

Lasso netted his second goal of the night and sixth of the tournament in the 20th minute.

Seconds later, Claudio Goodridge took advantage of a straying Lemos and rolled a shot from midcourt into the net.

With the final kick of the half, Matthew Rios gave Canada new life, converting a penalty kick.

Two minutes after the interval, Rios scored again to cut Panama's lead to 5-4.

Panama would then go on a tear, scoring three straight goals.Carlos Perez netted a brace in the 26th and 36th minutes, only interrupted by a third for Hinks in the 33rd.

Alvaro Yaques added a consolation for the North Americans with two minutes left on the clock.