The CONCACAF will finally finish its first round on Tuesday as only one team has been guaranteed a spot in the hexagonal round.
Panama vs. Cuba 4 p.m. EDT
Cuba has been eliminated since September and have faced one embarrassment after another in qualifying. They have yet to score in five matches and have surrendered nine goals thus far. They are coming off a 3-0 rout by Canada and are taking on Panama, a team to whom they lost 1-0. Panama only needs a draw here and can probably pass the ball around for 90 minutes without any fear of Cuba posing an offensive threat. Of course, the Cubans are home and will want to give fans something to celebrate about. Panama cannot take this match too lightly as they have not achieved anything yet.
Past Matches in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers
Panama 2:0 Honduras June 8, 2012.
Panama 1:0 Cuba June 12, 2012
Panama 0: 1 Canada September 7, 2012
Panama 2:0 Canada September 11, 2012
Panama 0:0 Honduras October 12, 2012
Cuba 0:1 Canada June 8, 2012
Cuba 0:3 Honduras September 7, 2012
Cuba 0: 1 Honduras September 11, 2012
Cuba 0: Canada 3 October 12,2012
Prediction: 4-0 Panama. I have a strong feeling that the Panamanians will be energetic from the get go to simply get the game over with. They will score early and often to secure passage to the hexagonal round.
This match will not be broadcast nationally.