Brazil, Chile in shock Copa exitBrazil, Chile in shock Copa exit
Source: Agencies |
July 19, 2011, Tuesday
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SOUTH America's soccer hierarchy was hit by an Andean tremor as Venezuela stunned Chile 2-1 and Paraguay shocked holders Brazil by eliminating them from the Copa America on Sunday.
Venezuela's stunning 2-1 victory over fancied Chile was the only one of the quarterfinals not to go to extra time, while two ended in penalty shootouts, Brazil losing 0-2 to Paraguay after Argentina went out against old rival Uruguay on Saturday.
"It's a historic achievement but our players aren't satisfied with that, they want more, above all because we said we would beat Chile," Venezuela coach Cesar Farias told reporters.
"I'm surprised that after every match that Venezuela have played, every team that we've played against has said that we've played poorly or that we don't deserve anything. Well, that's fine. Let them continue to look down on us."
The semifinals were left devoid of South America's big two, Brazil and Argentina, who had met in the two previous finals - both won by the Brazilians - and also Colombia, who had emerged as title contenders until they were upset by Peru on Saturday.
The semifinal line-up has Uruguay, on course for a record 15th title, facing Peru in La Plata today and Paraguay against Venezuela in Mendoza.
Peru has been one of the weaker teams in the region for decades, while Venezuela had never been this far before.
Brazil, which drew 2-2 with Paraguay in the group phase, dominated its quarterfinal in La Plata from start to finish. But the Brazilians, who scored six goals altogether, failed to put away their many chances while Paraguay clung on with dogged defense and a brilliant performance from goalkeeper and captain Justo Villar.
Brazil fluffed their lines badly in the shootout with three penalty misses and one saved by Villar, while Paraguay did enough converting two of the three it needed to take to go through.
In San Juan, where Chile enjoyed virtual home advantage just across the Andean border from home, centre back Oswaldo Vizcarrondo put Venezuela ahead with a header from a Juan Arango freekick and Humberto Suazo equalized with 20 minutes left.
Venezuela's left back Gabriel Cichero scored the winning goal nine minutes from time.
Venezuela's stunning 2-1 victory over fancied Chile was the only one of the quarterfinals not to go to extra time, while two ended in penalty shootouts, Brazil losing 0-2 to Paraguay after Argentina went out against old rival Uruguay on Saturday.
"It's a historic achievement but our players aren't satisfied with that, they want more, above all because we said we would beat Chile," Venezuela coach Cesar Farias told reporters.
"I'm surprised that after every match that Venezuela have played, every team that we've played against has said that we've played poorly or that we don't deserve anything. Well, that's fine. Let them continue to look down on us."
The semifinals were left devoid of South America's big two, Brazil and Argentina, who had met in the two previous finals - both won by the Brazilians - and also Colombia, who had emerged as title contenders until they were upset by Peru on Saturday.
The semifinal line-up has Uruguay, on course for a record 15th title, facing Peru in La Plata today and Paraguay against Venezuela in Mendoza.
Peru has been one of the weaker teams in the region for decades, while Venezuela had never been this far before.
Brazil, which drew 2-2 with Paraguay in the group phase, dominated its quarterfinal in La Plata from start to finish. But the Brazilians, who scored six goals altogether, failed to put away their many chances while Paraguay clung on with dogged defense and a brilliant performance from goalkeeper and captain Justo Villar.
Brazil fluffed their lines badly in the shootout with three penalty misses and one saved by Villar, while Paraguay did enough converting two of the three it needed to take to go through.
In San Juan, where Chile enjoyed virtual home advantage just across the Andean border from home, centre back Oswaldo Vizcarrondo put Venezuela ahead with a header from a Juan Arango freekick and Humberto Suazo equalized with 20 minutes left.
Venezuela's left back Gabriel Cichero scored the winning goal nine minutes from time.
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