World Cup Qualifying: Panamanian Fans Try Intimidation Tactics on Canada (Video)

Well, it's not the Soccer War, but if you were a Canadian player trying to get some sleep in the team hotel, the fireworks, drums and laser pointers might have made you wonder.

The Canadian national team will play hosts Panama in a Group C CONCACAF World Cup qualifier Tuesday, and the home fans are expected to create quite the hostile atmosphere. After all, they've already made Canada's stay in Panama City a waking nightmare.

When Canada arrived Sunday ahead of the match, a large, noisy crowd of Panamanian fans greeted the visiting players with fireworks, drums, laser pointers and, above all, noise.

From CanadaSoccer.com:

"

Since arriving in Panama, Canada has been greeted by passionate Panamanian fans who have sought to distract the team from its mission to earn a result on foreign soil. The fans were parked in front of the Canadian hotel on Sunday night beating their drums and delivering unique welcome chants to the Canadian players.

"

A couple of blogs picked up the story, with Dirty Tackle citing Twitter reports from what could be called ground zero.

"

Shocking scenes here in Panama City. Hundreds of Panamanian fans gathered outside team hotel. Noise is deafening. #canMNT

— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) September 11, 2012"

All the hostility might stem from Friday's match between the same two teams. Canada won that one 1-0 in Toronto with Dwayne De Rosario scoring the winner after a free-kick caught Panama's defense unprepared.

So Canada heads into Tuesday's game atop Group C with seven points, one ahead of Panama. Could a new trans-North American rivalry be brewing?

[h/t The Footy Blog at TheScore]

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