Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh says he was shocked by the display of Panama even though the Black Satellites defeated the South Americans in their final group match at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand on Friday.
Ghana qualified for the last 16 at New Zealand 2015 as Group B winners after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Panama at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium.
The Panamanians, who exit as a result of the defeat, were undone by a solitary Emmanuel Boateng goal, and missed a late penalty through Fidel Escobar.
Despite the win, Ghana coach Tetteh says despite their victory, the Panamanians played very well which surprised his side who were rated as the favourites for the match.
"Our opponents surprised me today. I was in shock simply because at the World Cup you see such different standards of performance, and today Panama played very well," Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh said after the match on Friday.
"It was a hard-fought game and the slightly better side won in the end."
Ghana has progressed into the FIFA Under-20 World Cup quarterfinals after defeating Panama 1-0 at North Harbour Stadium this afternoon.
The Ghanaians advanced atop Group B after a free-flowing encounter, surviving an onslaught of attack from a desperate Panamanian side, who head home after picking up just one point in their three group games.
In the first match between the two nations at any level, Ghana had the better of an action-packed yet scoreless first half, having 11 shots at goal as they looked to pepper Panama goalkeeper Jaime De Gracia.
Both sides were attacking with intent, and with Panama needing a win to progress they ratcheted up the pressure in the second spell as Ismael Diaz and Jhamal Rodriguez both came close to putting the Central American side in front.
De Gracia kept his side in the contest on the 72nd minute mark with a brilliant fingertip save onto the post from a vicious Benjamin Tetteh strike, but a defensive mix-up saw him left with little chance ten minutes later.
A misplaced pass in the Panama defence saw substitute Emmanuel Boateng latch onto the ball in a dangerous position, and he lashed home a great finish from outside of the box into the bottom right corner to give Ghana the lead.
Panama had a late chance to garner something from the encounter when awarded an 88th minute penalty, but striker Fidel Escobar slipped and blasted the spot-kick over the bar, ending their slim hopes of qualification.