Panama training spat at World Cup 'good sign' for coach
Panama coach Thomas Christiansen welcomed a training ground confrontation on Friday between Cecilio Waterman and Jose Luis Rodriguez, saying he wants to see more of that intensity at the World Cup.
Waterman and Rodriguez clashed ahead of Saturday's game against England in New Jersey, with Panama already eliminated after back-to-back 1-0 losses to Ghana and Croatia in Group L.
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"What happened today in training, this is a normal situation," said Christiansen, a Danish-born former Spain international.
"I would've liked to see these situations more often, that means the team is alive. They are willing to do a good effort... to be in the first XI for the game.
"If this happens another time, it's a good sign that they are alive," he added.
Panama are seeking a first World Cup point after losing each of their previous five matches at the tournament, including a 6-1 thrashing by England in 2018.
"Now we have the last game against England, a good way to finish a World Cup if it goes our way," said Christiansen, who has been in charge of Panama since 2020 but is out of contract after the competition.
"I think we have made changes from the last time they faced Panama eight years ago, but we need to show it tomorrow.
"It will be a tough one but I'm thinking that the team will be able to compete and do a good game."
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