New Zealand beat Panama 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in their Kirin Cup semifinal.
Marko Stamenic scored New Zealand’s regulation-time goal. Giovany Herbert scored for Panama before halftime.
Goalkeeper Alex Paulsen saved Mijahir Jimenez’s shootout effort. New Zealand converted all five attempts, including Michael Boxall’s decisive fifth penalty.
The shootout result takes New Zealand into the Kirin Cup final, scheduled for 5 October 2026 in Tokyo.
