Toronto FC II’s Liam Fraser began the fightback for the Canada U20 Men’s National Team with a second half goal, but it wasn’t enough as the Panama U20s took a 2-1 win on Saturday night in the second exhibition between the sides as they prepare for the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship next month in Costa Rica.

The result left the two-game series tied 2-2 on aggregate, with Fraser’s TFCII teammate Shaan Hundal having scored the only goal in Thursday opening game as Canada took a 1-0 win. Saturday night’s game went to the halftime break scoreless, but goals by Panama’s Justin Simmons and Oliver Beckles gave the hosts a two-goal lead.

Fraser, brought on as a substitute, pulled a goal back for Canada with 15 minutes to go, but while TFCII’s Aidan Daniels and Dayonn Harris almost found an equalizer in the closing stages, Panama held on to earn the victory.

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Saturday’s contest saw Canada rotate its starting lineup with the aim of getting as much playing time for the 19-man travelling party as possible. Former FC Montreal midfielder Thomas Meilleur-Giguere took the captain’s armband, while Montreal teammate Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla and the Toronto FC II duo of Daniels and Malik Johnson also opened the game.

“We wanted to give our players a chance (over the two-match series)," said Rob Gale, Canada Soccer's Men's National U-20 Team Coach. "Full credit to the players for their work rate and attitude. They competed very, very well."

Canada will conclude its preparations for the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship, which also serves as qualifying for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea, later this month when it visits Mexico for a nine-day training camp that opens on January 27. Following the camp, the final squad of 20 players will be selected to make the trip to Costa Rica.

Canada opens the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship against Honduras on 17 February, followed by games against Mexico (20 February) and Antigua & Barbuda (23 February). The top two teams from the three groups will advance to the second stage, where two groups of three teams will play for the four spots at the U20 World Cup.