Venezuela and Canada Face Historic Copa America QuarterfinalVenezuela and Canada Face Historic Copa America Quarterfinal History is on the line for both Venezuela and Canada as they prepare to face off in the second quarterfinal of the Copa America on Friday night in Arlington, Texas. Despite being a perennial underdog in South American football, Venezuela has the chance to surpass its best-ever Copa America performance by beating Canada. The team’s current fourth-place standing in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying is a testament to its progress. Venezuela’s success in the group stage, where they won all three matches, was aided by some fortuitous circumstances. However, their promising start is a reflection of their country’s potential. Canada, making its debut in the Copa America, also had a fortunate run to the quarterfinals, benefiting from red cards to their opponents. Despite scoring the fewest goals of any quarterfinalist, the team remains confident. Canada’s manager, Jesse Marsch, believes there is still room for improvement. He credits the team’s mentality and commitment, despite their tactical deficiencies. With a victory, Venezuela would set a new watermark in their Copa America history. Canada, on the other hand, would be making a bold statement in their first appearance in the tournament. Regardless of the outcome, the match promises to showcase the rising stars of both teams and the potential of South American football.
(Photo credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)
History is on the line for both sides when Venezuela and Canada meet in the second quarter-final of the Copa America on Friday night in Arlington, Texas.
Venezuela has long been seen as a minor player in South American football. The country would surely match its best performance in the Copa America by beating Canada and at least equaling its fourth place finish in 2011.
“We know we have to motivate ourselves a little more than we may have motivated ourselves for the group stage, because we are very close to surpassing Venezuela’s best historical performance in the Copa America,” Venezuela manager Fernando Batista said through an interpreter. “We know it’s important.”
Venezuela won all three games in Group B but may have had a bit of luck, thanks in part to Enner Valencia’s early red card in a 2-1 win over Ecuador and Orbelin Pineda’s missed penalty in a 1-0 win over Mexico.
That said, its chances of progressing are in line with its promising early results in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, where it currently sits fourth after six games.
Salomon Rondon, the country’s all-time top scorer, has scored his 42nd and 43rd goals of the tournament, while Eduard Bello has also scored twice.
In its first participation in the Copa America, Canada also had some chances on its way to the quarterfinals, beating Peru 1-0 and drawing with Chile (0-0), with both opponents receiving red cards.
Canada’s one goal, scored by Jonathan David, is the fewest of any team that advanced. And it will be without winger Tajon Buchanan, who suffered a broken tibia in training after the draw with Chile that secured second place in Group A.
However, manager Jesse Marsch, who was only hired in May, believes it is logical that there are still some difficult points that need to be addressed.
“There is so much room for improvement,” Marsch said after the draw with Chile. “But I have to say that the overall mentality and commitment to becoming the team we want to be is at the highest level I have ever seen from any team I have worked with. And I really enjoyed that part. I am proud of them, but most of all I am happy for them.”
–Field Level Media
Source link : http://aworldofsports.fr/2252/
Author :
Publish date : 2024-07-04 18:59:01
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
