Venezuela moved joint-top of the South American World Cup qualifiers after claiming a 1-0 victory over Bolivia in San Cristobal.
A first-half strike from Oswaldo Vizcarrondo was enough to give Venezuela a valuable 1-0 victory over Bolivia in a tight 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Pueblo Nuevo stadium in San Cristobal on Tuesday. With the win Venezuela reached seven points, the same amount of points as group leaders Uruguay. For Bolivia the defeat means they remain in bottom-place with only a single point.
Bolivia, who drew 1-1 with Argentina in Buenos Aires on Thursday, pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off as they tried to catch Venezuela by surprise, with a long-range drive from Marcelo Martins Moreno.
Venezuela's first opportunity on goal came in the 5th minute, through Juan Arango and a few minutes later he had another chance that flashed wide. Both sides attacked each other in a frantic opening, with Moreno Martins looking particularly dangerous.
In the 25th minute Oswaldo Vizcarrondo put Venezuela ahead when he connected to a Cesar Gonzalez corner-kick with a powerful header.
After going behind, Bolivia pressured Venezuela with intensity but the soaked surface didn't allow them to attack their opponents with precision, with Pablo Escobar and Moreno Martins missing a couple of good opportunities.
In the second period Venezuela kept the ball between themselves and slowly progressed up the field as they tried to assure themselves of the result. Meanwhile, Bolivia absorbed pressure and hit Venezuela on swift counterattacks at every opportunity.
Bolivia came inches-close from drawing level in the 83rd minute, but a free-kick from Jhasmany Campos struck the left post, to the relief of the strong 40,000 crowd at the Pueblo Nuevo stadium.
In the final minutes of the match Bolivia piled heavy pressure on the Venezuela goal as they searched for an equaliser, and although they looked very dangerous on each attack Vizcarrondo and Amorebieta continually saved the Venezuelans.
Venezuela recorded their fourth consecutive victory over Bolivia in the last four editions of the South American World Cup qualifiers. On the road to South Africa 2010, Venezuela beat Bolivia 5-3, but both teams failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Bolivia, who drew 1-1 with Argentina in Buenos Aires on Thursday, pushed to the attack immediately from the kick-off as they tried to catch Venezuela by surprise, with a long-range drive from Marcelo Martins Moreno.
Venezuela's first opportunity on goal came in the 5th minute, through Juan Arango and a few minutes later he had another chance that flashed wide. Both sides attacked each other in a frantic opening, with Moreno Martins looking particularly dangerous.
In the 25th minute Oswaldo Vizcarrondo put Venezuela ahead when he connected to a Cesar Gonzalez corner-kick with a powerful header.
After going behind, Bolivia pressured Venezuela with intensity but the soaked surface didn't allow them to attack their opponents with precision, with Pablo Escobar and Moreno Martins missing a couple of good opportunities.
In the second period Venezuela kept the ball between themselves and slowly progressed up the field as they tried to assure themselves of the result. Meanwhile, Bolivia absorbed pressure and hit Venezuela on swift counterattacks at every opportunity.
Bolivia came inches-close from drawing level in the 83rd minute, but a free-kick from Jhasmany Campos struck the left post, to the relief of the strong 40,000 crowd at the Pueblo Nuevo stadium.
In the final minutes of the match Bolivia piled heavy pressure on the Venezuela goal as they searched for an equaliser, and although they looked very dangerous on each attack Vizcarrondo and Amorebieta continually saved the Venezuelans.
Venezuela recorded their fourth consecutive victory over Bolivia in the last four editions of the South American World Cup qualifiers. On the road to South Africa 2010, Venezuela beat Bolivia 5-3, but both teams failed to qualify for the World Cup.
