Venezuela Downs Columbia at Giants Stadium

Columbia midfielder Luis Fernando Mosquera drives the ball against a tough Venezuela defence in their 2-1 loss at Giants Stadium. (Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography, All Right Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

EAST RUTEHRFORD, NEW JERSEY (August 12, 2009) Under cloudy skies with temperatures in the low 70s, Venezuela scored in the 73rd minute on a kick by Oswaldo Vizcarrondo to defeat Columbia 2-1 in a friendly match leading up to the World Cup Qualifying matches.

Venezuela found the goal in the 34th minute on a nice shot from the left side of the box by Jose Manuel Rey to make the score 1-0. Columbia came back five minutes later on a kick by Radamel Falcao Garcia from in front of the goal to tie the score at halftime.

The game stayed tied until the 73rd minute when midfielder Luis Manuel Seijas slides the ball to Oswaldo Vizcarrondo to make the score 2-1 in favor of Venezuela.

Both teams had players ejected from the game. Columbia's Fabian Vargas received his first yellow card in the 54th minute, followed up with a second in the 86th minute. As a result of the two yellow cards, he headed to the showers with four minutes left in the game.

Venezuelan Pedro Fernandez was sent off in the 88th minute for game misconduct while teammate Gercon was issued a yellow card in the 30th minute.

Columbia had 14 shots on the goal, with 19 fouls, 5 corner kicks, 2 offsides calls and 4 saves. Venezuela tallied 6 shots on the goal, 23 fouls, 7 corner kicks 2 offsides calls and 8 saves.