View the Cuba 1-1 Panama highlights here.
The Cuba vs Panama game will be the end of the road for the Cuban team, while Panama secures a place into the next round with a tie or a favorable goal difference over Canada. The game will take place this Tuesday, October 16, 2012 (4:00 PM EDT) at the Pedro Marrero Stadium in La Havana Cuba. Panama is currently in first place of Group 3 with 10 points, and is very close to qualifying into the final CONCACAF round, however, a loss by a large margin of goals would not only be surprising, but it will also eliminate them if Honduras beats Canada. On the other hand, Cuba has had a disastrous round, and has obtained zero points in five games. They will play their last game of the World Cup qualifiers with no nerves, as they have nothing to lose, or to win for.
Cuba has played five games thus far, and they have lost all, while receiving nine goals and scoring none. This is a team with a bad defense, and its offense is almost obsolete; therefore a goal in their last game in front of its home crowd will be a sweet ending to a harsh qualifier. Cuba had four players desert before their last game in Canada, and while that affected their performance, it did not affect their chances in qualifying into the final round.
Unlike Cuba, Panama has surprised many with their excellent performances in the qualifiers. Standing in first place, they have ten points (3W/1T/1L) with only five goals, and a good defense that only has received one. Panama has almost secured its pass into the next round, and a catastrophe would need to happen for them to get eliminated. On Tuesday, the real important match will be between Honduras and Canada because those two teams directly face elimination.
Prediction: Panama is the better team, and has better players like striker Luis Tejada from Toluca who is on a good scoring streak. There is no pressure on either side, and Panama should come out of the win, while Cuba will be able to celebrate a goal. Panama wins 2-1.
Television: This game will not be transmitted.
