Football United

Group A

Colombia 1-0 Bolivia


Edixon Perea

Colombia assured themselves of a place in the quarterfinals after defeating Bolivia 1-0 at Estadio Nacional in Lima. Despite being outplayed for long stretches Friday evening, Bolivia could still advance beyond the group stage with a win over Venezuela on Monday. Bolivia actually had the first good chance of the match on nine minutes, but Miguel Mercado headed over the goal. Fifteen minutes later Colombia’s Tressor Moreno latched onto a delightful ball from Gonzalo Martinez, but his acrobatic volley was deflected clear by Leonardo Fernandez. Bolivia went right back down the pitch, and drew a dangerous free kick. But while Henao did not grab it cleanly, there never was any doubt about him saving the shot either. Colombia put intense pressure on their opponents in the opening quarter hour of the second half. Four minutes after the break Oscar Diaz shot powerfully at Fernandez, but the Chacaritas Juniors keeper blocked the shot with his chest. Moreno eluded a defender inside the area just before the hour mark, but blazed his shot high and wide. Then a couple minutes later Sergio Herrera left Fernandez flat-footed but his header floated just beyond the far post. Reinaldo Rueda inserted Elkin Murillo and Edixon Perea in an attempt to give the Cafeteros’ attack a gilt-edged look over the final quarter hour. With five minutes remaining Colombia advanced all the way to the six yard line before Fernandez came out to block Gustavo Victoria’s toe-poke. But eventually Perea proved Rueda to be a genius. The Atletico Nacional striker was left unmarked in the 90th minute, and looped a header from the penalty spot over Fernandez for a deserved winner.

COLOMBIA: Juan Henao; Andrés Orozco, Arley Rodríguez, Gustavo Victoria, Gonzalo Martínez; Oscar Asprilla, David Ferreira (Edixon Perea), Jairo Patiño, Abel Aguilar (Jhon Viáfara); Tressor Moreno (Elkin Amor), Sergio Herrera.

BOLÍVIA: Leonardo Fernández; Sergio Jáuregui, Lorgio Álvarez, Ronald Arana, Ronald Raldes; Luis Cristaldo (Walter Flores), Rubén Tufiño, Limberg Gutiérrez, Limberg Pizarro; Miguel Mercado (Roger Suarez), Joaquín Botero.

GOALS: 1-0, Edixon Perea (89')

Peru 3-1 Venezuela


Norberto Solano

Peru put forth a massive effort at Estadio Nacional in the capital city of Peru to overpower Venezuela 3-1 in Copa America Group A action. Peru put constant pressure on Venezuelan goalkeeper Gilberto Angelucci over the entire ninety minutes. Barring a massive collapse against Colombia in their final Group A match, Peru will advance to the round of eight. Jefferson Farfan fired an early warning shot wide of Angelucci’s post from 20 yards. Some nifty passing freed Peru’s Andres Mendoza for a clean shot from 16 yards in the 27th minute, but the former Club Brugges forward’s shot across goal flashed inches wide of the post. On thirty-three minutes Farfan benefited from another set of quick Peruvian passes only to see his shot blocked over the goal by a defender. But glory did not elude the new PSV signing for much longer. Some poor communication between goalkeeper and defender led to the opener with eleven minutes left in the first half. Angelucci ran out to the top of the box to punch a high ball, but only succeeded in knocking the ball off the back of his defender, Alejandro Chicero, before falling to the ground. With Angelucci on the carpet, Farfan pounced on the spilled goods like a kid at a piñata party and chipped the ball into the goal. Five minutes into the second half, Roberto Palacios hit side netting after picking Venezuelan pockets a few yards from Angelucci’s goal. On 54 Peru stayed one step ahead of the defense with some unselfish passing, but Mendoza pushed his nine-yard shot to the right of the post. Just before the hour mark Massimo Margiotta lumbered onto the pitch to give Venezuela another attacking option, but the Vicenza striker brought bad luck initially. On the hour mark Mendoza bounced a header down at goal, but Angelucci batted the ball before it bounced over his head and the goal line. A couple minutes later, however, Nolberto Solano doubled the Peruvian lead from 14 yards to send the supporters into another frenzy. Miguel Mea Vitali was perhaps unnecessarily sent off for an early shower midway through the second half, confirming which team would win the match. Defender Santiago Acasiete scored Peru’s third with a powerful diving header, but Margiotta pulled one back for Venezuela in less than two minutes with a powerful dipping volley from the top of the box. To Venezuela’s credit they did not quit over the final quarter hour, keeping Oscar Ibanez awake through a series of shots. The entertainment turned sour late, when Peru captain Claudio Pizarro was sent off for an overzealous challenge after a whistle to stop play.

PERU: Oscar Ibañez; Santiago Acasiete, Miguel Rebosio, Walter Vílchez, Guillermo Salas; Nolberto Solano (Jorge Soto), Juan Jayo, Roberto Palacios (Marko Ciurlizza); Claudio Pizarro, Andrés Mendoza (Flavio Maestri), Jefferson Farfán.

VENEZUELA: Gilberto Angelucci; Luis Vallenilla, José Rey, Jonay Hernández, Alejandro Cichero (Massino Margiotta), Jorge Rojas; Miguel Ángel Vitali, Ricardo Páez (Héctor González), Leopoldo Jimenez, Juan Arango; Alexander Rondón.

GOALS: 1-0, Jefferson Farfán (33'); 2-0, Norberto Solano (61'); 3-0, Santiago Acasieste (72'); 3-1, Massimo Margiotta (74')

SENT-OFF: Miguel Ángel Vitalí (65'); Claudio Pizarro (87')

GROUP A STANDINGS

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. Colombia 2 6
2. Peru 2 4
3. Bolivia 2 1
4. Venezuela 2 0

Source: goal.com; conmebol.com