There was a surprisingly cagey start to the third-place final between Jamaica and Panama. Jamaica started sitting back in their 5-4-1 as they welcomed Demarai Gray back into the side. Panama started in control of the game building out of a 3-4-3, looking to exploit space created behind the Jamaica defense. Damion Lowe was deployed in midfield again as he seems to be the immediate solution to Jamaica’s need for a central defensive midfielder with a physical presence. And while he has been very good defensively over the past two games, there is a lot to be desired in attack as his pass completion rate was 43% against the United States and 62% today against Panama — an area that I’m sure Coach Hallmígrisson is aware of and will be working to improve in this regard.
“Tactically, I think we played a good performance,” said Hallmígrisson post-match. “Maybe not the best game we have played but I think we showed by this performance that we can play whatever national team in the world and have a chance against them if we play as tactically as we did today.”
The only chances of an otherwise even first half fell to Jamaica. The 19th minute saw the first opportunity as Michael Hector stepped into midfield to win the ball and play Shamar Nicholson in behind. Panamanian shot-stopper Orlando Mosquera won the initial 1 v 1 duel, but the rebound fell back to Nicholson on his left foot. Fortunately for Panama, the defenders recovered in time and the second attempt was cleared off the line by Jiovany Ramos.
The lone goal of the match came in the 41st minute. Hector again broke Panamanian lines to find the feet of Dexter Lembikisa. The wide-man used a step-over with his right before cutting inside with his left and firing into Mosquera’s top corner from 20 yards out — a goal that will be discussed in Jamaica for years to come.
The second half again was fairly balanced and without many chances. Philadelphia Union’s Damion Lowe was deployed in the defensive midfield position again and showed why it was necessary, halting attacking play and helping his team secure the middle of the field. In the 60th minute, he stepped in to intercept a pass and attempted an audacious chip over Mosquera only to hit the crossbar from about 35 yards out.
Arguably Panama’s best action of the second half came in stoppage time. A long ball in the 94th minute bounced around the area until it fell to the feet of substitute Abidel Ayarza, but he bottled his effort into the side netting.
Jamaica showed their defense organization yet again to secure a 1-0 result and third place. The next match between the USA and Mexico will decide the winner of the Concacaf Nations League.
-Andre F.
Edited by: Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Concacaf.com