Venezuela stun 10-man Colombia
Venezuela scored twice in the last 15 minutes, including a stunning
Juan Arango free kick, to beat 10-man Colombia 2-0 on Tuesday and keep
alive their chances of qualifying for their first World Cup.
Nicolas Fedor, who plays for Salamanca in the Spanish second
division, broke the deadlock when he turned in a low cross from Anyelo
Pena in the 77th minute, only two minutes after coming on as a
substitute.
Four minutes later Arango curled a free-kick in off the underside of
the crossbar as the hosts made Colombia pay for their ultra-defensive
tactics.
Colombia, who have scored only six goals in their 12 World Cup
qualifiers, had midfielder Abel Aguilar sent off in the 27th minute for
a violent lunge at Alejandro Moreno.
However, it made little difference as they were incapable of putting
any sort of attacking moves together before or after his dismissal.
The win left Venezuela with 13 points from 12 games in the 10-team
group, one behind Colombia, three behind fifth-placed Uruguay and five
behind fourth-placed Brazil.
The top four teams qualify directly for the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa and the fifth play off against the fourth CONCACAF team. Uruguay
visit Chile on Wednesday while Brazil host Peru. Venezuela's chances
nearly all came from Arango's left foot.
The captain was close three times in the first half, all from outside
the penalty area, and missed a sitter midway through the second when he
side-footed across the face of goal from a free position. PUERTO ORDAZ,
Venezuela, Wednesday
(Reuters)
|