Lucky Paraguay reaches Copa final
Source: Agencies |
July 22, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PARAGUAY beat Venezuela 5-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the final of the Copa America for the first time since 1979 after a fortunate goalless draw in Mendoza, Argentina, on Wednesday.
Paraguay defender Dario Veron scored the winning spot kick, blasting the ball past Renny Vega, to send his side into Sunday's final against Uruguay in Buenos Aires, but celebrations were marred by an ugly fight that broke out amongst the teams as they left the field.
The result was harsh on Venezuela, which will feel desperately unlucky it did not win the match before the shootout. It hit the woodwork three times and dominated the later stages against Paraguay, which had midfielder Jonathan Santana sent off in the first period of extra time.
The Paraguayans then took advantage of their good fortune to convert all five of their penalties in the shootout with their goalkeeper Justo Villar saving Franklin Lucena's weak effort to set up the win.
"We've had some luck in these past few days and we had it again today. Clearly we have to improve," Villar told reporters afterwards.
The post-match fight, involving players and coaching staff from both teams, lasted for several minutes and could lead to further suspensions for Paraguay. Police then had to escort the players and coaches from the field to protect them from objects thrown from the crowd.
The result meant that Paraguay reached the final of South America's most prestigious tournament without winning a single match in open play having drawn three group matches before beating Brazil on penalties after a goalless draw.
Weakest side
It also brought a halt to Venezuela's remarkable Copa America. Long regarded as the weakest side on the continent, it had never before reached the semifinals. It will now face Peru in La Plata tomorrow in the third-place playoff.
"Now the whole world knows that in South America there's another team that's got quality," Venezuela coach Cesar Farias said. "Maybe we can make up for the prize we'd hoped to win here by qualifying for the World Cup in 2014."
The Paraguayans enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but it was Venezuela which created the best chances.
Defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo looked to have put Venezuela ahead with a 35th-minute header but his effort was ruled out for offside, and then Alejandro Moreno crashed a header against the Paraguayan crossbar just before the break.
Paraguay's best effort also came from a header with Vega palming an effort from Veron to safety.
Neither side created a single clear cut chance in a pedestrian second half so Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino threw on his most prolific striker Roque Santa Cruz in a bid to break the deadlock.
However, Santa Cruz lasted just seven minutes before limping off injured and, almost inevitably, the match drifted into extra time.
Paraguay looked rattled and in the 103rd Santana was sent off for a second bookable offense. Martino was also dismissed to the stands for remonstrating with the Mexican referee.
Paraguay defender Dario Veron scored the winning spot kick, blasting the ball past Renny Vega, to send his side into Sunday's final against Uruguay in Buenos Aires, but celebrations were marred by an ugly fight that broke out amongst the teams as they left the field.
The result was harsh on Venezuela, which will feel desperately unlucky it did not win the match before the shootout. It hit the woodwork three times and dominated the later stages against Paraguay, which had midfielder Jonathan Santana sent off in the first period of extra time.
The Paraguayans then took advantage of their good fortune to convert all five of their penalties in the shootout with their goalkeeper Justo Villar saving Franklin Lucena's weak effort to set up the win.
"We've had some luck in these past few days and we had it again today. Clearly we have to improve," Villar told reporters afterwards.
The post-match fight, involving players and coaching staff from both teams, lasted for several minutes and could lead to further suspensions for Paraguay. Police then had to escort the players and coaches from the field to protect them from objects thrown from the crowd.
The result meant that Paraguay reached the final of South America's most prestigious tournament without winning a single match in open play having drawn three group matches before beating Brazil on penalties after a goalless draw.
Weakest side
It also brought a halt to Venezuela's remarkable Copa America. Long regarded as the weakest side on the continent, it had never before reached the semifinals. It will now face Peru in La Plata tomorrow in the third-place playoff.
"Now the whole world knows that in South America there's another team that's got quality," Venezuela coach Cesar Farias said. "Maybe we can make up for the prize we'd hoped to win here by qualifying for the World Cup in 2014."
The Paraguayans enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but it was Venezuela which created the best chances.
Defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo looked to have put Venezuela ahead with a 35th-minute header but his effort was ruled out for offside, and then Alejandro Moreno crashed a header against the Paraguayan crossbar just before the break.
Paraguay's best effort also came from a header with Vega palming an effort from Veron to safety.
Neither side created a single clear cut chance in a pedestrian second half so Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino threw on his most prolific striker Roque Santa Cruz in a bid to break the deadlock.
However, Santa Cruz lasted just seven minutes before limping off injured and, almost inevitably, the match drifted into extra time.
Paraguay looked rattled and in the 103rd Santana was sent off for a second bookable offense. Martino was also dismissed to the stands for remonstrating with the Mexican referee.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
