Defender Roman Torres from La Equidad of Colombia and Alberto Blanco from Maccabi Netanya of Israel joined the Panama soccer team in order to train for the upcoming games against Jamaica and Grenada that are taking place next week (June 7th and 10th, respectively).

“I am back in Panama City and I have a slight pain on my left ankle but it is nothing serious. I will fully train on Wednesday so as to be fit for the next week´s games”, said Roman Torres. On the other hand, Alberto Blanco stated he expects to adapt quickly to the time zone shifting and help the Panamanian team to beat their Caribbean rivals. He also mentioned that the purpose of these friendly games is to get ready for the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2009.

Panamanian players did some stretching prior to training. Then, they worked out for about 30 minutes under the supervision of physical trainer Julio Toral. Also, goalkeeper coach Donaldo Gonzalez focused on the two Panamanian goalies Luis Mejia and Kevin Melgar and encourage them to improve their reactions as goalkeeper. In overall, Panama´s coach Gary Stempel is doing a great job with his fellows.

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There were a lot of expectations for this friendly soccer game between Panama and Argentina. The Panamanian soccer team played very well in the first half of the match against the argentinian squad despite of the pressure that the argentinians were putting on the ball. At the 27th minute, striker Matias De Federico scored the first goal for the South American team. However, two minutes later the Panamanian Nelson Barahona silenced the stadium crowd by scoring a long distance goal. Maradona´s facial expression changed dramatically after seeing his goalie being beaten. Things got level and the game turned to be more interesting. Just before the end of the first half, striker Gonzalo Bergessio headed the ball into the net after a corner kick taken by Matias De Federico.
 
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Before all the prognoses the Panama selection overthrew the champion of the area Costa Rica, and it became for the first time champion of the Cup of Nations DIGICEL. The Panamanians celebrated an end with flavor of revenge and won the favorites by the route of the penitentiaries with a marker of 5 – 3. The final, played in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, ended in a 0-0 tie after regulation. It was the first championship victory in the history for the Panamanian selection.

When was seen by international television the victory of the selection of Panama, the Panamanians get ready to celebrate the title with a great caravan of vehicles crossing the 50th street; one of the main routes of the Panama City. Panama filled of joy and celebration with the victory of the national team. Hundreds of happy Panamanians and dressed with red t-shirts filled the 50th street and other streets near the same. It did not matter that was Sunday, the Panamanians decided to party all night the triumph with music, drinks and dance demonstrating to the entire world that the one that persevere reaches. Panama has become cradle of champions in different competitions throughout the last year and in soccer was not the exception.

Congratulations to the 2009 team champion, the Panama selection, and to the red tide that throughout the years has supported the team to the 100%.