Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Venezuelan national team will face the Canadian national team in the quarterfinals of the Copa America USA 2024 at the AT&T Stadium, Cowboys, Friday local time or Saturday (6/7) morning at 08:00 WIB.
Venezuela are looking at this match with a lot of optimism after collecting perfect points in the group stage by beating Ecuador 2-1, Mexico 1-0 and Jamaica 3-0.
La Vinotinto are one of three teams to have achieved perfect points in the group stage of the 2024 Copa America, alongside reigning champions Argentina and Uruguay.
Two of their players, Eduard Bello and Salomon Rondon, also compete in the provisional list of top scorers with a score of two goals, two different goals from the provisional Argentine top scorer leader Lautaro Martínez.
Venezuela, six places behind Canada, 48th in the world rankings, are not afraid to face the troops coached by former Leeds United coach Jesse Marsch.
Over the three matches in the group stage, Venezuela seemed to play more cleanly with the standard found, namely 4-2-3-1. Their front line, led by former Premier League striker Rondon, is very fluid, averaging 13.6 total shots per game in this year’s edition of the Copa America with six goals scored.
Meanwhile, in the Canadian camp, Jesse Marsch, newly named coach of the team nicknamed the Canucks on May 13, is still trying to discover his best lineup.
He often changes his best formation which he adapts depending on his opponent. Against Argentina in the opening match, he played a 4-4-2 formation with Jonathan David and Cyle Larin as spearheads.
Then, in the next two matches against Peru and Chile, Marsch used a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Adapting to this formation has not gone smoothly for Marsch, as his team has only recorded one victory so far, scoring just one goal in the Copa America scored by David and conceding two goals.
Thus, Fernando Batista’s troops are slightly more favored in this match to once again reach the semi-finals of the Copa America, equaling the record established during the 2011 edition, when Uruguay became champion.
Unfortunately, in the semi-final, their opponents were not just any team. The reason is that Argentina, the defending champion and 2022 world champion, is waiting after securing a place in the semi-finals by eliminating Ecuador on penalties.
Summary of the last five matches between Venezuela and Canada
Looking at the last five matches, we can say that Venezuela’s performance is better as they have recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat.
Their three victories came in the Copa America. Then, a draw was achieved in the friendly match against Guatemala with a final score of 0-0.
A defeat occurred against Italy on December 11, 2023 with a final score of 1-2. In this match, Retegui’s double brought Venezuela to its knees at home.
Venezuela played well, but were unlucky as they failed to capitalize on the opportunities created with a total of 12 missed shots and five wasted big chances.
Meanwhile, under Marsch’s leadership, Canada’s play has not been stable with one win, two draws and two losses in the last five matches.
In these five matches, they scored one goal in winning the 2024 Copa America by narrowly winning 1-0 against Peru thanks to David’s goal.
Meanwhile, Marsch needs to improve his minor record as he conceded six goals in five matches when he lost 0-2 to France and 0-4 to the Netherlands in friendlies.
When they last met, Venezuela and Canada played to a 1-1 tie when they faced each other on May 30, 2010 in a friendly match.
Venezuela’s last five matches:
(1/7/2024) Jamaica 0-3 Venezuela (Copa America 2024 group stage)
(27/6/2024) Venezuela 1-0 (Copa America 2024 group stage)
(23/6/2024) Ecuador 1-2 Venezuela (Copa America 2024 group stage)
(25/3/2024) Guatemala 0-0 Venezuela (Friendly match)
(11/12/2023) Venezuela 1-2 Italy (Friendly match)
Last five matches between the two teams:
(6/30/2024) Canada 0-0 Chile (Copa America 2024 group stage)
(26/6/2024) Peru 0-1 Canada (Copa America 2024 group stage)
(21/6/2024) Argentina 2-0 Canada (Copa America 2024 group stage)
(10/6/2024) France 0-0 Canada (Friendly match)
(7/6/2024) Netherlands 4-0 Canada (Friendly match)
Face to face between the two teams:
(30/5/2010) Venezuela 1-1 Canada (Friendly match)
Venezuela vs. Canada Lineup Prediction
Venezuelan coach Fernando Batista is not expected to make many changes to his starting XI.
As goalkeeper, Rafael Romo will play from the first minutes. Romo will be accompanied by four defenders, namely Alexander Gonzalez, Nahuel Ferraresi, Yordan Osorio and Miguel Navarro.
In the middle position, the duo José Martinez and Yangel Herrera should be irreplaceable, and the first three positions should be occupied by Darwin Machis, Yeferson Soteldo and Eduard Bello.
Meanwhile, experienced striker who currently plays for Pachuca Salomon Rondon will occupy the first position to execute his teammate’s chance creations.
From Canada, Jesse Marsch appears to be using the same formation used by Venezuela, namely the 4-2-3-1.
Maxime Creapeut should occupy the position of goalkeeper. Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies will fill in at left-back with Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito and Alistair Johnston accompanying him in a four-man formation.
Marseille midfielder Ismale Kone and Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaqio will provide balance in the midfield.
Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar will be tasked with maintaining width on the wings and Jonathan David will be the mastermind of the attack behind lone striker Cyle Larin.
This formation can then evolve at any time into 4-4-2 with David and Larin in the front line.
Star Davies could also move to left wing if Canada wants to refine their attack.
Here is the expected lineup for Venezuela against Canada:
Venezuela: Rafael Romo, Alexander Gonzalez, Nahuel Ferraresi, Yordan Osorio, Miguel Navarro, José Martinez, Yangel Herrera, Darwin Machis, Cristian Casseres, Yeferson Soteldo, Salomon Rondon.
Canada: Maxime Creapeu, Alphonso Davies, Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito, Alistair Johnston, Tajon Buchanan, Ismale Kone, Stephen Eustaqio, Liam Millar, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin.
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