Hamilton, ON, Canada
Brazil v Panama
Despite the host nation set to play later in the evening, fans only trickled in through the night’s first group match between Brazil and Panama at CIBC Hamilton Soccer Stadium on Monday night. What they missed was a match that was nothing less than frustrating and one that bordered on suspicious.
A match with much in the balance, the two sides played in their third and final group stage match. Panama, needing any result against the heavily favoured team from Brazil to advance to the semifinal match on Thursday, could also end any hope for Canada to advance.
The opening stages of the first half were evenly played, each team with several mediocre chances, and both enjoying periods of possession. It wasn’t until the 18th minute when Brazil blew the game open with a world class goal from Luciano Da Rocha. With a lobbed ball heading away from goal, Luciano elevated hitting it off the inside of the far post, just atop the diving keeper. Brazil 1-0 Panama
It took just a minute more for Brazil to extend its lead, again as a result of Luciano. Receiving a nifty pass just outside the 18-yard box, Luciano slotted a curling shot just inside the far post and a sprawling keeper. Brazil 2-0 Panama
The rout was officially on — much to the delight of the Canadian fan, whose team needed a win and some help in goal differential — as Brazil netted a third on a corner, neatly passed to the far post and easily directed to the back of the net by PanAm Games standout Clayton Da Silveira. Brazil 3-0 Panama
Panama scored toward the end of half after a horrible goalkeeping blunder as the keeper, Andrey Da Silva, attempted to clear it outside the 18-yard box with his head. His attempt fell short of the far sideline and Panama’s Jorman Aguilar neatly lobbed it over the defenders tracking back, bouncing it easily into an open goal. Brasil 3-1 Panama
Unfortunately, as the two sides returned from break it became apparent that Brazil were no longer interested in pushing for the win. Their first order of business was to substitute Luciano, the same player who scored a wonderful brace in the first half. While understandable due to wanting to keep their better players healthy, it was just the beginning of decisions that seemed to spark Panama’s comeback.
As the half wore on, Panama scored its second goal after some creative passing but more importantly poor defending, as Jairo Jiminez was sent in alone. His shot dinged the post, but bounced fortuitously to Jorman Aguilar who was left alone in front of goal. Brasil 3-2 Panama
Minutes later, the comeback was complete as a Panama player was brought down in the box — whether the call was the correct one is debatable. Nonetheless, in the 53rd minute, Fidel Escobar netted the penalty inside the post just past the fingertips of the Brazilian keeper who guessed the right way. Brazil 3-3 Panama
From that point on the game was all but decided. With more than 30 minutes in regular time, the game became completely played in the middle of the pitch with neither team electing to push up the pitch. In fact, backward passing was prevalent.
Time wasting in football is something any fan of the game is familiar with and for most it’s just a part of the game. However, the time wasting from Panama was apparent to most, and what made it worse is that it began very early in the half, just after they leveled at three.
Players falling down, kicking the ball away after awarded free kicks were common throughout the second half. Every time Panama’s keeper handled the ball, he felt the need to drop to the ground despite no Brazilian players in the vicinity. Perhaps the most obvious was when one player whose number was being called to be substituted, fell hard to the ground clutching groan needing a stretcher to be carted off.
What made this all so confusing and incredibly frustrating is that this wasn’t just from Panama. Despite obvious time wasting, Brasil had no complaints. In fact, they seemed resigned to play a slow, lacklustre football, with only several attempts at playing in Panama’s 18-yard box. It was not the same Brazilian side who routinely outclassed its previous opponents, getting more than 20 shots in each of its previous games.
The only real outburst of offence in the second half from Brazil came seconds before the final whistle as a ball was sent into the box (one of only a few times that occurred) right on foot of a Brazilian player from about six yards out. He sent the ball over the net — from six yards out.
To the disappointment of every fan who realized the implications of the draw, it was incredibly frustrating to watch and naturally raises suspicions.
Semifinal matches, for which Panama and Brazil will both be a part, will be played on Thursday, with the bronze medal game on Saturday and gold medal game on Sunday evening.
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