Football: Venezuela stay unbeaten in late show

SALTA, Argentina, July 14 (BSS/AFP) - Venezuela stayed unbeaten in Group B of the Copa America with an astonishing late show on Wednesday in Salta to draw 3-3 with Paraguay.

The Venezuelans were already through having earned four
points from their opening two matches including a draw with
Brazil and coach Cesar Farias saluted his charges.

"We thought this would be a very difficult group, that maybe
we might go through - but in third place. But we came through
unbeaten. We worked hard and we merit respect."

Paraguay needed the draw to sneak into the quarters as one
of the best two third-placed teams - their three points and zero
goal difference sees them pip Group A's third-placed team Costa
Rica, who slid to a minus two goal difference after losing 3-0 in
their final game to hosts Argentina.

Paraguay's 'Guarani' appeared well on their way to the top
of the group after goals from Antolin Alcaraz on the half hour
and then Lucas Barrios and Christian Riveros after the break put
them 3-1 to the good, recovering from a fourth-minute Venezuelan
opener from Salomon Rondon.

But astonishing finale, Nicolas Fedor levelled on 90 minutes
and Grenddy Perozo then netted with a diving header three minutes
into stoppage time to give the Venezuelans five points.

Holders Brazil could match that if they beat Ecuador in the
late game in Cordoba.

A two-goal win would see the Brazilians top the group on
goal difference.

Roque Santa Cruz almost put Paraguay into an early lead but
they were caught as the Venezuelans raced to the other end and
Rondon fired home a low angled drive.

The knowledge that a defeat would sent them out galvanised
the Paraguayans and Santa Cruz and Barrios began to weave their
spell.

On 33 minutes they were level as Alcaraz drove home left-
footed.

That calmed their nerves and the Paraguayans saw their
German-based Brrios put them ahead just after the hour following
a corner from Haedo Valdez.

Venezuela began to press for an equaliser but left
themselves open as Riveros headed in following a freekick from
Aureliano Torres.

With five minutes left on the clock that should hae been it
but Fedor nudged in an effort which looked destined to be a
consolation before the Vinotinto stole a point right in the dying
embers of injury time as Perozo scrambled to nod in after his own
keeper Renny Vega had launched himself into the fray.

"Thank God we managed a draw after suffering so much," said
a breathless Vega.

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