Panama trains for friendly against N. Ireland

Panama City, May 16 (IANS) The Panama national team has started training ahead of the May 29 friendly against Northern Ireland in preparation for next month's World Cup in Russia.

Seventeen players worked out under the direction of coach Hernan Dario "Bolillo" Gomez, reports EFE news agency.

Tuesday's session, which was overseen by trainer Elkin Sanchez, started with warm-up stretches followed by a jog.

The players then played a little soccer while goalkeepers Jose Calderon and Alex Rodriguez were put to the test by goaltender coach Didier Muñoz.

The first training session was cut short after two hours because of heavy rain.

This is the first time Panama has qualified for the World Cup.

The draw situated them in Group G, along with Belgium, England and Tunisia.

Panama will start their campaign on June 17 against a Belgian side that went undefeated in the European qualifiers.