Venezuela coach bemoans Rincon ban
Reuters - Tuesday 19 July 2011, 20:53
MENDOZA - Venezuela coach Cesar Farias
will have to replace "the best player in the tournament" for
their Copa America semi-final againt Paraguay on Wednesday.
His side will be without influential midfielder Tomas
Rincon, who is suspended after being sent off in the 2-1 win
over Chile in the quarter-finals.
"For me Tomas has been the best player in the Copa even if,
when I say it like that, it sounds arrogant," Farias said when
his team arrived in Mendoza ahead of their last four clash.
Farias is likely to call on either Giacomo Di Giorgi,
Yohandry Orozco or Luis Seijas to replace Rincon.
Venezuela are otherwise set to be unchanged as they bid to
reach the final of South America's most prestigious tournament
for the first time.
Paraguay look certain to welcome back striker Roque Santa
Cruz, who was injured for their victory on penalties over Brazil
in the last round.
The Paraguayans are trying to reach their first Copa final
since 1979, when they won the last of their two titles.
This will be the sixth Copa America clash between the two
sides who met in the group stage of this year's tournament.
Paraguay were leading 3-1 with two minutes to go before
Venezuela staged a remarkable comeback to draw 3-3. The
Paraguayans had won all the previous encounters.