Quintero’s sorrow for not qualifying for the World Cup with Panama: “It hurts not to achieve the goal”

The Panamanian team ended its participation in the Qatar 2022 Concacaf Qualifiers with a victory over Canada (1-0), although it was not enough for the team to reach the World Cup. After the game, Alberto Quintero, also a player for Universitario de Deportes, did not hide his regret for the negative outcome.

“We have to keep going. The truth is that it hurts a lot for not having achieved our goal, but football does not end here”, indicated ‘Chiquitín’ in an interview for JM Deportes. Let us remember that the ‘Canaleros’ finished in fifth place in the table, with 21 points, four behind Costa Rica (4th), which agreed to the playoffs.

In the same way, the 34-year-old attacker assured that there is a good future for Panama, regardless of the ups and downs experienced in the qualifying process that just ended. “I think very good things are coming, because things were done well in the national team”, indicated Alberto Quintero.

“I would like the coach (Thomas Christiansen) to stay, because he did a very good job. We play face to face to all the big call combos in the area”, added the skilled footballer.

“It was a process, with many new guys, almost 26 players debuted and that’s important. There were good things and surely the DT has many things to correct, it’s normal, it was his first time leading a team. All these situations will give him experience and I think the coach should stay”, sentenced ‘Chiquitín’.

Quintero was applauded by the fans

Alberto Quintero started in Panama’s victory over Canada, but was replaced in the 73rd minute. When the experienced attacker was leaving the pitch at the Rommel Fernández Stadium, the ‘Canaleros’ fans recognized his good performance and bid him farewell amidst a standing ovation.