SportsPosted at: Sep 25 2026 10:10PM


Gritty India hold Panama to 1-1 draw in int’l football friendly

New Delhi, Sep 25 (UNI) India produced a spirited performance to hold world No. 44 Panama to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday, giving Khalid Jamil’s side a morale-boosting result ahead of sterner tests against Brazil and Uruguay.

Ryan Williams put India ahead in the 41st minute after latching on to a ball over the top and calmly finishing past Panama goalkeeper Marcos Reyes.
India, ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, had looked the more purposeful side for much of the first half, with Williams going close early on and Ashique Kuruniyan hitting the side netting as the hosts created enough openings to trouble the visitors.
Panama, who made three changes at the break, stepped up the pressure after the restart. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu kept India ahead with saves from Giovany and Carlos Harvey, but was eventually beaten in the 68th minute.
Omar Valencia, introduced at half-time, produced a superb finish from outside the box, sending a dipping effort into the top-right corner beyond the reach of the Indian goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

India continued to threaten in the closing stages, with Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad and substitute Jay Gupta all involved in their attacking moves, but the hosts could
not find a winning goal.
The Indian defence also stood firm during Panama’s late pressure to secure a draw that will offer Jamil’s team encouragement after a difficult outing at the Unity Cup.
For India, the draw provides a useful boost before they face five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 and two-time World Cup winners Uruguay on October 6 in Kolkata.
UNI BM
Tags: #Gritty India hold Panama to 1-1 draw in int’l football friendly
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see more..