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Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Venezuelan national team will face the Canadian national team in the quarterfinals of the Copa America USA 2024 at AT&T Stadium, Cowboys, on Friday local time or Saturday (6/7) morning at 08:00 WIB.

Venezuela are heading into the match with great optimism after picking up perfect points in the group stage by beating Ecuador 2-1, Mexico 1-0 and Jamaica 3-0.

Vinotinto are one of three teams to have secured perfect points in the group stage of the 2024 Copa America, alongside defending 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 goals different from the provisional leader top scorer Argentina Lautaro Martínez.

Venezuela, six places behind Canada, 48th in the world rankings, are not afraid to face the troops coached by former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch.

In the three group stage matches, Venezuela appeared to play more cleanly with the standard formation they found, namely the 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 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, adapting it to his opponent. Against Argentina in the opening match, he played a 4-4-2 formation with Jonathan David and Cyle Larin as the spearheads.

Then, in the next two matches against Peru and Chile, Marsch used a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The adjustment to this formation has not been smooth for Marsch, as his team has so far recorded only one victory, scoring only one goal in the Copa America scored by David and conceding two goals.

Thus, Fernando Batista’s troops are slightly more favoured in this match to reach the semi-finals of the Copa America again, equalling the record set in the 2011 edition, when Uruguay became champions.

Unfortunately, in the semi-finals, their opponents were not just any team. The reason is that Argentina, the reigning champion and 2022 world champion, are waiting after securing a place in the semi-finals by eliminating Ecuador on penalties.

Also read: Venezuela faces Canada in quarter-finals after beating Jamaica 3-0
Also read: Canada qualifies for quarter-finals despite 0-0 draw with Chile

Next page: Reports of the last five matches between Venezuela and Canada

If we consider 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 obtained in the friendly match against Guatemala with a final score of 0-0.

A defeat took place 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 take advantage of the opportunities created with a total of 12 missed shots and five big chances wasted.

Meanwhile, under Marsch, Canada’s play has been inconsistent with one win, two draws and two losses in the last five games.

In those five matches, they scored one goal as they won the 2024 Copa America with a narrow 1-0 victory over Peru thanks to David’s goal.

Meanwhile, Marsch needs to improve his minor record as he conceded six goals in five games when losing 0-2 to France and 0-4 to the Netherlands in friendlies.

In the last meeting, Venezuela and Canada played to a 1-1 draw 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:
(30/6/2024) 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 of the two teams:
(30/5/2010) Venezuela 1-1 Canada (Friendly Match)

Also read: Overthrowing Mexico, Venezuela reaches the quarter-finals of the Copa America
Also read: Scaloni asks Argentina not to underestimate Canada

Next page: Predicted lineup for Venezuela vs Canada

Venezuelan coach Fernando Batista is not expected to make many changes to his starting XI.

At 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 Creapeu is expected to fill in at goalkeeper. Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies will fill in at left-back with Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito and Alistair Johnton joining him in a four-man formation.

Marseille midfielder Ismale Kone and Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaqio will provide balance in midfield.

Tajon Buchanan and Liam Millar will be tasked with maintaining width on the wings and Jonathan David will be the brains of the attack behind lone striker Cyle Larin.

This formation can then evolve at any time into a 4-4-2 with David and Larin in the front line.

Star Davies could also move to the left wing if Canada wants to sharpen their attack.

Here is the expected lineup for Venezuela against Canada:

Venezuela: Rafael Romo, Alexander Gonzalez, Nahuel Ferraresi, Yordan Osorio, Miguel Navarro, Jose Martinez, Yangel Herrera, Darwin Machis, Cristian Casseres, Yeferson Soteldo, Salomon Rondon.

Canada: Maxime Creapeu, Alphonso Davies, Derek Cornelius, Moise Bombito, Alistair Johnton, Tajon Buchanan, Ismale Kone, Stephen Eustaqio, Liam Millar, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin.

Also read: Andreas Pereira thinks Brazil is silencing Uruguay
Also read: Ecuador coach fired after being knocked out by Argentina in Copa America