FC Dallas Home Grown goalkeeper Richard Sanchez posted his first shutout of the 2011 U-17 World Cup in Pachuca as he helped Mexico advance to the tournament quarterfinals after defeating Panama 2-0 on Thursday. The host nation advanced in the tournament after scoring bookend goals in the second and 89th minutes of the round of 16 match.
Mexico got their first goal of the game off a corner kick served in by Julio Gomez. Carlos Fierro finished the service at the near post to give the home team the 1-0 lead with just two minutes played.
Panama couldn’t muster a quality scoring chance until the 35th minute when Alfredo Stephens ripped a shot on target. Sanchez was able to get a hand to the chance to tip the ball just over the crossbar.
From that point on the Mexican side maintained steady pressure on Panama until they broke through for an insurance goal in the 89th minute. The goal came on the end of another corner kick for Mexico, this time with Marco Bueno heading home the opportunity.
Mexico now prepare to face France in the U-17 World Cup quarterfinals. France advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Ivory Coast 3-2 and going 1-0-2 through the group stage in Group B.
Scoring Summary:
MEX – Fierro 2’
MEX – Bueno 89’
Disciplinary Summary:
PAN – Melendez (Caution) 19’
MEX – Escamilla (Caution) 23’
MEX – Guzman (Caution) 47’
Mexico Starting Lineup
Sanchez, Flores, Guzman, Briseno, Caballero, Escamilla (Tostado 56’), Espericueta, Gomez, Fierro, Gonzalez (Casillas 66’), Hernandez (Bueno 50’)
Panama Staring Lineup
Picart, Melendez, Chen, Wright (Samms 86’), Cedeno, Pinzon (Paredes 76’), Narbon, Santamaria (Maughn 90’), Aguilar, Stephens, Gonzalez