---
title: "Panama to Face Ecuador in Kirin Cup Third Place Match"
date: 2026-10-01
author: "Panama Daily News"
url: https://panamadaily.news/2026/10/01/panama-to-face-ecuador-in-kirin-cup-third-place-match/
categories:
  - "Sports"
---

# Panama to Face Ecuador in Kirin Cup Third Place Match

Panama’s national football team will meet Ecuador in the third place match of the 2026 Kirin Cup after Ecuador fell 5-4 on penalties to Japan in Yokohama on Thursday. The result sets up a showdown between La Roja and La Tri as both sides look to close out their Asian tour on a winning note.

## What Happened

Ecuador and Japan battled to a scoreless draw in regulation time at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, a venue steeped in football history. After 90 minutes without a goal, the semifinal went straight to a penalty shootout, where Japan prevailed 5-4.

The shootout’s turning point came when Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki saved the attempt by Byron Castillo. Jordy Caicedo had opened the series by converting for La Tri, but Daizen Maeda stepped up to seal the victory for the Samurai Blue with the decisive kick.

During the match, Japan threatened first, with Yuito Suzuki firing wide in the 24th minute after a clean three-pass combination. Ten minutes later, Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez produced a spectacular diving save to keep the score level. Ecuador responded just before the break with dangerous work from Keny Arroyo and Nilson Angulo down the left flank, though their cross into the box found no finisher.

Despite attacking substitutions from both coaches in the second half, neither side could break the deadlock, sending the match to penalties.

## Background

The Kirin Cup is an international friendly tournament hosted in Japan, traditionally bringing together national teams from different continents for a series of high-profile matches. This edition forms part of Panama’s and Ecuador’s Asian tours during the international window.

For Ecuador, the defeat extends a frustrating run under Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, who has yet to secure his first victory at the helm of the tricolor. La Tri arrived in Yokohama seeking revenge against Japan, a side they had not beaten since 1996, and hoping to bounce back from a recent 3-0 loss to South Korea.

Panama, meanwhile, reached this stage of the bracket after being eliminated by New Zealand on penalties on Thursday. New Zealand will now face Japan in Monday’s final.

## What This Means for Panama

The third place match gives Panama a valuable opportunity to end the tournament with a positive result against a South American opponent. Facing Ecuador provides La Roja with a competitive test against a team traditionally considered one of the stronger sides in the CONMEBOL region.

For Panama’s coaching staff, the match offers a final chance in this window to evaluate players and tactics in high-level international competition. Matches of this kind against teams from other confederations are an important measuring stick as Panama continues to build toward future competitive commitments.

Panama will also be motivated to avoid a repeat of the penalty heartbreak suffered against New Zealand, and to leave the Kirin Cup with a medal-worthy finish. Fans will be watching to see whether La Roja can find the goal that eluded both teams in Yokohama and claim third place in the four-team tournament.

This story was originally reported by [La Prensa](https://www.prensa.com/deportes/ecuador-pierde-en-los-penaltis-ante-japon-en-la-semifinal-de-la-copa-kirin/).