HOUSTON.- With young blood and the ball at its feet, the Venezuelan soccer team was reunited with victory. The approach of debutant interim coach Fernando Aristegueta worked against the Australian World Cup team to beat them 1-0.
La Vinotinto, who owned the ball and the public in the stands of the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, hit the net in the 37th minute. Daniel Pereira filtered a pass to the feet of Ender Echenique, who after dribbling inside the area assisted so that Jesús Ramírez could only push the ball.
Australia tried and had the clearest shot in the 85th minute, but goalkeeper José Contreras dressed as a hero by stopping a shot that was going straight to the goal!
Venezuela came from two defeats. The most recent before Messi’s Argentina and the one that ended the World Cup dream after being beaten by Colombia in Maturín on the last date of the South American qualifier.
La Vinotinto will face fellow World Cup player Canada on the 18th in Fort Lauderdale.
