Panama's Barcenas wants to move forward after nervous World Cup start

Panama midfielder Edgar Barcenas on Saturday said his team wanted to move forward and put its 0-3 loss to Belgium behind it, after what he called a nervous start to their 2018 FIFA World Cup run.

Barcenas spoke at a press conference ahead of Panama's second Group G match against England on Sunday, which notched a last-minute 2-1 win over Tunisia in their opener, reports Efe.

He admitted his team had suffered from a bit of "stage fright" against Belgium, in what is Panama's second-ever trip to the World Cup, but said the defeat "remained in history" and that the team wanted to focus on facing the rest of a "difficult group."

 

"We've been analyzing videos from England and we're mentally prepared. I'm physically well to play a good match on Sunday," the Tijuana player added, saying the team was focused on coach Dario Gomez's strategic plan for the match.

On Saturday, Belgium secured a place in the World Cup knockout stage with a 5-2 win over Tunisia.

--IANS

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