In search of their first-ever triumph at the CONCACAF Nations League, Martinique will face one of the early tournament favourites Panama in the opening group fixture for each at Estadio Universitario FC on Thursday.
Los Canaleros were knocked out in the semi-finals of this tournament by Canada the previous time out (2-0), while Les Matinino wound up bottom with just a single point in a group that featured the Panamanians and Costa Rica.
Match preview
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They have made a huge impression in the region with numerous impressive performances recently, but a first CONCACAF trophy continues to elude the Panamanians.
Thomas Christiansen's men held Mexico off the scoresheet until the 88th minute in the Gold Cup final last July, placing second for the third time in that competition.
The former boss at Leeds United called it his greatest challenge when he took over the Panamanian national team in 2018, and the Danish coach has delivered some impressive results this year with his side defeating Costa Rica twice, while also crushing 2021 Gold Cup semi-finalists Qatar (4-0) and knocking out the USA on their home field to advance into the Gold Cup final earlier this year.
Christiansen has brought his vast experience and footballing knowledge to a national program that desperately needed it, and his aggressive approach has complimented an already physically strong and technically fit group that is full of great athletes.
His tactical approach may not always be the most appealing to watch for those who love wide-open football, but it is hard to argue with their results, as Los Canaleros are up to 45th in the FIFA rankings, 12 places above their previous mark.
After conceding nine times at the group stage of this competition in 2019, Panama grew by leaps and bounds defensively in 2022-23, failing to allow a single goal until the semi-finals while ending the group phase without a defeat.
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Their Gold Cup campaign was not short on entertainment, but that competition had a familiar conclusion for the island nation of Martinique, who were eliminated at the group stage.
Les Matinino were in a position to make the quarter-finals heading into their final group fixture at that tournament, before losing 6-4 to Costa Rica in what was the highest-scoring game in Gold Cup history.
That kind of firepower is something we have rarely seen from Martinique in their two previous appearances at this tournament, scoring just once in the 2022-23 group stage.
While they were sent home early at the Gold Cup this past summer, Marc Collat's team finally got the better of a Central American opponent, defeating El Salvador 2-1 in their opening match, ending a winless run against that region that dated back to 2017.
Six of the nine goals that they allowed in the 2022-23 Nations League group stage occurred in the second half, including five in the 85th minute or later.
Not only are Martinique winless in this competition, but they have also never defeated Panama before, though they have put together some strong showings in their last two meetings against them, narrowly losing 2-1 at the Gold Cup this summer and playing to a 0-0 draw in this competition last year.
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Team News
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Christiansen chose a relatively experienced group of Panamanian players for this upcoming clash, with Ricardo Hinds being the only one selected without an international cap, while Kahiser Lenis made his debut for the senior side in their previous encounter, notching a brace in a 2-1 win over Bolivia at the end of August.
Adalberto Carrasquilla was named the best overall player at the Gold Cup this summer, Ismael Diaz had four goals to lead the way for Los Canaleros in that competition, Jose Fajardo netted twice and Orlando Mosquera had one clean sheet.
Carrasquilla and Fidel Escobar were named to the Best XI at the previous Nations League tournament, while Yoel Barcenas, who was not chosen for this match, led them in goals that time around with two.
Only seven players selected to the Martinique side for their opening two matches of this competition are currently in the double-digit mark regarding caps, with captain Daniel Herelle nine appearances away from reaching the century mark, while Emmanuel Vermignon is one short of 20.
Three players chosen for this international window have never featured for Les Matinino, including Boris Moltenis, Lucas Larade and Jeremy Corinus.
Mickael Biron was the only Martinique player to find the back of the net in their previous Nations League campaign, while Karl Fabien had the only strike for them when Panama beat them at the most recent Gold Cup, the first time Les Matinino have ever scored against Los Canaleros.
Panama possible starting lineup:
Mejia; Escobar, Andrade, Anderson; Blackman, Carrasquilla, Godoy, Davis; Fajardo, Blackburn, Waterman
Martinique possible starting lineup:
Vermignon; Felicitet, Poulolo, Moltenis, Corinus; Mandouki, Herelle; Fabien, Biron, Grelet; Labeau
We say: Panama 2-0 Martinique
Panama are coming into this tournament hungry to win, and we believe the physicality and balanced attack that they possess will overpower their Caribbean opponents on Thursday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
