City defender Cordoba left frustrated by Panama concession

Despite Panama squandering a 2-1 lead and being reduced to 10 men in the closing stages, City's centre-back was annoyed by a second-half performance that saw them squander victory in the second leg. 

Cordoba played a key role in helping Panama record a 3-2 aggregate victory to tee up a semi-final in the March international break but was disappointed by his side's performance in the closing stages of the game in Panama City. 

"As you say, today it was not our turn to go and finish the opportunity that we had, but we can only look forward and improve," Cordoba told RPCTV. 

"I think Thomas [Christiansen, Panama boss] has spoken about today's game. He takes it upon himself to talk about how we can't finish the game like that, obviously not. We didn't find a way to play for, say, 15 minutes, and it cost us. 

"But I personally think that we have to improve; we have to be a little more focused and finish because if we don't take the opportunities that we have, it will cost us in the end."

That lack of concentration allowed a nearly beaten Costa Rica a route back into the game, as the Norwich defender shared his reflections with the media. 

"We gave them the ball, and a Costa Rica that was hungry didn't hurt us, and we had to suffer the last few minutes. We had to win it like that, but in the end, it's up to us because we gave the opportunity to a Costa Rica that was down.

Jose Cordoba will now return to Norwich to prepare for their Championship return. (Image: Focus Images Ltd) "In the first half, we were at our best. They had the upper hand, meaning the game was open for us," he said. 

"They were practically defeated, but again, they had about 5-10 minutes where they gave them the ball; it wasn't that constant, they didn't have a long position, and that didn't affect, and it didn't cost us to finish the game."

Cordoba will now return to Norwich to prepare for Saturday's Championship return against West Brom at the Hawthorns.