Venezuela gunning for champions Colombia

Peru  - Nobody will be surprised if Colombia begins the defence of its Copa America title by losing to Venezuela on the tournament's opening night on Tuesday.

Colombia's descent to mediocrity has been in stark contrast to Venezuela's rise to respect.

After winning its first Copa America on home soil in 2001, Colombia failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, then started 2006 qualifying badly with three straight losses, the third at home to Venezuela.

Juan Arango, or "Aran-goal" to his fans, scored early and Venezuela held on to 1-0 to beat Colombia for the first time ever last November, forcing the resignation of coach Francisco Maturana, who had guided Colombia to the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

Colombia, under Reinaldo Rueda, who took the under-20s to third in the World Youth Cup, has rebounded with a draw against Argentina and wins over Peru and Uruguay in World Cup qualifying and received more inspiration from last week's historic victory by Once Caldas in the finals of the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier club tournament.

"We picked ourselves up in (World Cup) qualifying and Once Caldas reached the final of the Libertadores," said Elin Murillo, the only survivor from the 2001 Copa America-winning squad. "The moment is excellent and the plan is to keep up the pace."

But Venezuela was already on a confident course, and has come to Peru to burnish its improving reputation.

Venezuela has been the perennial doormat of South America, with only one match win in the Copa America, on debut in 1967, 12 tournaments ago.

But the present squad, which began to form before the 1999 Copa America, has matured into a side capable of its first Copa win in 34 years and advancing to at least the quarterfinals.

"It's difficult but I think we have a good chance to make it through the first round, and with a bit of luck keep advancing in the Copa America," Arango said. "Our goal is to show the world that Venezuela's progress is real."

Venezuela lost by two goals in both of its previous matches against Colombia in the Copa America, in 1989 and 2001, but it has precedent for believing it can knock off the defending champion in the first round.

In the opener three years ago, Mexico downed titleholder Brazil 1-0, ending Brazil's 20-match unbeaten run in the Copa since 1993.

 -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News