SEATTLE (Sporting Alert) — Panama and Martinique go in search of their second win at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament and place into the knockout round when they face each other at CenturyLink Field on Thursday night.
Panama v Martinique Live CONCACAF Gold Cup | Watch Live Stream on FoxSoccer 2Go.com. Thursday July 11, at 8:30 ET
In their opening game of Group A, Panama stunned two-time defending champions Mexico 2-1 at the Rose Bowl on Sunday with striker Gabriel Torres scoring both goals for the winners.
Thursday night they will go for their second win as they seek to win an early qualifying slot into the quarter-finals with a game to play.
Panama will certainly start slight favourites to take the three points, but will not be underestimating the Martinique team.
“We are working our best to not be overconfidence,” said defender Juan Perez said. “Mexico is in the past and we are looking into Martinique.
“We didn’t see much of them but we know they are a strong team. You have to respect every team. We know they came to win and if you want to advance in this tournament, you have to respect your opponent.”
The team is also not getting too carried away about their chances of making the quarter-finals.
“Mexico is in the past. We can’t live in the past,” Perez said. “Martinique is in our sights now.
“We have to remain grounded. We haven’t won anything yet.”
Martinique will also be backing themselves to win the three points Thursday night and the players are buzzing with confidence, following a last gasp winning strike by Fabrice Reuperne in a 1-0 victory over Canada in their opening round game on Sunday.
Martinique could have won by a bigger margin with better luck as they created the better chances throughout the game.
