BRIEFS: sports

Panama defeats el salvador, 1-0

Carlos Lemos/LA PRENSA

leading: Panama will take a 1-0 advantage into Sunday’s game with El Salvador. 1041778

Panama defeated El Salvador 1-0 to take the upper hand in the series that will advance one of the teams to the next stage of World Cup qualifying.

Panama scored in the 21st minute when Luis Tejada, who plays professionally in Colombia, scored the game's lone goal.

The game was played in sloppy conditions in front of a full house at Rod Carew National Stadium. The baseball diamond had been converted into a soccer pitch for the game, but it often looked more like a swimming pool as a storm dumped a large amount of water on the field.

The wet conditions made for a generally unspectacular game, with the home team seemingly content with the 1-0 lead, and the visiting team unwilling to risk giving up a second away goal.

The teams will meet again this Sunday in El Salvador. If Panama wins or ties, it will advance to the next round of competition. A loss by more than a goal would eliminate the team.

Panama has never qualified for the World Cup finals.