Tuesday, July 13, 2004

MATCH 13 PREVIEW : LAST CHANCE FOR VENEZUELA AND BOLIVIA

This Monday, Venezuela and Bolivia open the last round of Group A in the Copa America in a similar situation: both need to win at all cost to continue in the competition.
Neither of the teams depend on their own results to make it to the quarterfinals, but any negative result will shatter all chances of qualification. A tie in the match in the city of Trujillo (north of Peru), at 5:30 pm local time, practically eliminates both squads.

Venezuela, defeated in both matches, must win to take third place and hope for a draw between Chile and Costa Rica, on Wednesday, in Tacna, for the last round in Group C. Bolivia have one point from the draw against Peru and could end second, if the hosts defeat Colombia in the following match. Coach Richard Paez will modify the side that began both previous matches, in order to comply with a promise made to the Venezuelan people before traveling to Peru: achieve at least the second best third place. Depleted of midfielders Mea Vitali, sent off against Peru, and direct substitute Jorge Rojas, who received his second yellow card, the manager will field Andree Gonzalez. In attack, Massimo Margiotta, a second-half replacement in both matches and scorer of the consolation against Peru, will take Roberth Moráns´ place.

On Sunday, when visiting the pitch, Paez said that Venezuela have been playing well, and despite the poor results, he promised victory: "Venezuela have a good team that have all the conditions to beat Bolivia. And they will!"

On the Bolivian side, the only change made by coach Ramiro Blacut is the entrance of Richard Rojas in Luis Cristaldo´s place, since the skipper injured his right thigh and isn¿t fit to play. Striker Miguel Mercado, whose father passed away last Saturday, was given permission to return to Bolivia, but chose to stay in the country and will be on the starting lineup.

Venezuela: Gilberto Angelucci - Luis Vallenilla, José Manuel Rey, Alejandro Cichero, Jonay Hernández - Leopoldo Jiménez, Leonel Vielma, Ricardo Paez, Juan Arango - Alexander Rondon and Massimo Margiotta. Coach: Richard Paez.

Bolivia: Leonardo Fernández - Sergio Jaúregui, Ronald Arana, Ronald Raldes, Lorgio Alvarez - Wálter Flores, Limbert Pizarro, Limberg Gutiérrez, Ruben Tufiño - Joaquín Botero and Miguel Mercado. Coach: Ramiro Blacut.

Venue: Mansiche Stadium, em Trujillo (PER)

Referee: Marco Rodríguez (MEX)

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