The under-17 football team completed their preparations for the World Cup with a fresh 2-0 win over New Zealand in Niigata, Japan on Monday, September 18.
The Creole team, which troubled the Oceanic team right from the start, put on a brilliant performance on the field.A situation that echoed on the scoreboard four minutes into the game, with a goal by Alejandro Cicero, who used a low cross inside the area to push the ball in anticipation of the defence, making it 1-0.
New Zealand tried to react to the goal but Venezuela found themselves with a defense that maintained order and knew how to keep the danger away from their goal to keep the result in their favour. Venezuela maintained control in the final minutes of the first leg, going into halftime with a lead on the scoreboard.
In the second half, Argentina, led by Ricardo Valino, dominated possession, leaving New Zealand without many attacking options., which attempted to achieve parity, though without much success. In the 84th minute, Colina, a junior from Julia, made it 2-0 with a powerful right foot shot from outside the area that beat the opposing goalkeeper.To seal Venezuela’s victory.
This way, Venezuela completes its tour unbeaten with five wins and zero defeats, beating Turkey, Japan and New Zealand, as well as Galatasaray U-18 clubs and Nikata FC of Japan. With this victory, the youth team won the International Youth Football Cup.
Now, Venezuela is gearing up to face the World Championship in Indonesia from November 10 to December 2. The national team will be in Group F with Mexico, Germany and New Zealand.
𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒛𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒂! 🏆 A reward for this family’s work and dedication 🫂
🥇 International 🥇#VinotintoSub17 #AlwaysVinotindo 🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/IxX1IhfOwK
— Juvenile Vinodinto (@juvenilesfvf) September 18, 2023
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