Panama striker Alberto Zapata has confirmed that he will play for Israeli side Maccabi Netanya, and has already left Panama's camp in Honduras to travel to Israel. Zapata scored the lone goal in the Guatemala match that confirmed Panama's place in this summer's Gold Cup. He wasn't on the field for the semifinal against Honduras and won't be there for the final against Costa Rica.
Zapata joins two other CONCACAF players on Netanya's roster -- Costa Rican defender Luís Marín and fellow countryman Alberto Blanco, who plays in midfield.
I know that UNCAF Cup is not an official FIFA event and clubs therefore are not required to release players, but it is odd to see a player leave a camp in the middle of a tournament to join up with his club. Then again, as both teams are already qualified for the continental tournament, Zapata's departure doesn't really matter all that much.
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Posted by: Glenn | February 02, 2009 at 08:15 AM