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Coach Valdés Calls Loss 'Very Strange,' Vows Squad Overhaul
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

Coach Valdés Calls Loss 'Very Strange,' Vows Squad Overhaul

From TVN Panamá · (7m ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Sporting San Miguelito coach Julio Dely Valdés expressed frustration after a 3-2 loss to Alianza FC, calling the match "very strange" from the start.
  • Valdés cited unusual occurrences throughout the game and admitted feeling "ashamed" to be coaching a team that seemed unwilling to win.
  • He dismissed internal team issues but indicated specific problems, announcing significant squad changes for the next tournament.

TVN Panamá reports on the strong reaction from Sporting San Miguelito's coach, Julio Dely Valdés, following a disappointing 3-2 defeat against Alianza FC. The loss effectively ended their chances in the Torneo Clausura 2026 of the Liga Panameña de Fútbol. Valdés's post-match comments were notably candid, describing the game as "very strange" from the very first minute and expressing a deep sense of frustration and even embarrassment.

Fue un partido rarísimo, rarísimo. Desde el minuto uno. Desde el minuto uno, cosas muy raras, muy raras. Y la verdad es que ya a esta altura no me sorprende.

— Julio Dely ValdésThe coach described the match against Alianza FC, which resulted in his team's defeat and elimination from the tournament.

From a Panamanian sports perspective, Valdés's words carry significant weight. He is a respected figure in football, and his open criticism of the team's performance and the peculiar nature of the match suggests underlying issues that go beyond a simple loss. The coach's statement that he felt "ashamed" to be on the sidelines hints at a lack of commitment or fight from his players, a sentiment that will undoubtedly be discussed among fans and within the club's hierarchy.

Yo sentía vergüenza de estar allí dirigiendo un equipo que en ocasiones parecía que no quería ganar hoy.

— Julio Dely ValdésExpressing his deep disappointment and frustration with his team's performance during the crucial match.

Valdés's dismissal of dressing room problems but acknowledgment of "specific situations" adds a layer of intrigue. This suggests that the issues might be tactical, motivational, or perhaps related to external factors, rather than internal conflict. His clear intention to make "significant changes" to the squad for the next tournament underscores the severity of the situation and the club's determination to avoid a repeat performance. This signals a period of rebuilding and a critical juncture for Sporting San Miguelito.

No es un tema del vestuario. No estamos ciegos. Es un tema de situaciones puntuales en diferentes partidos.

— Julio Dely ValdésAddressing potential internal issues within the team, clarifying that the problems are more specific and situational.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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