By Sergio Silva
Jun 29, 2024, 8:51 PM EDT
The Venezuelan National Team will not be able to count on its coach, Fernando “Bocha” Batista, for this Sunday’s match against Jamaica at the end of its participation in the group stage of the Copa América United States 2024 after his one-match suspension became known.
Just like the coaches of Argentina and Chile, the Vinotinto coach was punished by Conmebol with a one-match suspension due to the Venezuelan team’s delay in returning to the field before the second half of the match played on Wednesday against Mexico.
The highest entity of South American football and organizer of the Copa América 2024, also confirmed a monetary punishment of $15,000 for the Venezuelan Football Federation (FVF) for this delay presented by the Venezuelan team that ended up winning the duel against El Tri (1-0).
Given the suspension of the Venezuelan coach for the match against the Jamaican National Team that will take place this Sunday at the Q2 Stadium in Texas, it is expected that his position will be occupied by his technical assistant, Leandro Cufré, who was even in charge of giving the press conference this Saturday.
“Batista is very hurt because he cannot lead his team, but we respect and abide by Conmebol’s decision”said Cufré, who stressed that the match against the Jamaican team will be played in the same way as the two previous matches in which the team secured a ticket to the quarter-finals.
“The emotion is going to be identical to that in the other games, because I am clear about what I am doing. It doesn’t change me at all. I don’t feel any kind of extra pressure. Here decisions are always made together. This is the only line I know to work as a team”he sentenced.
Jon Aramburu: “I hope we don’t suffer like we did against Mexico”
Venezuelan defender Jon Aramburu also spoke at the press conference prior to this Sunday’s match against the Jamaican national team, an opponent that he says they should be wary of even though they have already been eliminated from this Copa América USA 2024.
“Let’s hope that we are all plugged in from the first minute and that we don’t have to suffer like we did at the beginning with Mexico”assured the Real Sociedad player who had a great performance in the victory against the Mexicans, especially in the second half, nullifying the rival danger.
Jon Aramburu, just 21 years old and who this season managed to get playing time in the first team of the Basque team in LaLiga and the Champions League, referred to the good moment he is currently experiencing as an undisputed starter with the Vinotinto in this championship.
“The key is the people who surround you on a daily basis. At the club and in the national team there were people who were fundamental to my development. They are people who want to see you improve.”commented the full-back who is expected to be in the Venezuelan starting lineup against the Jamaicans this Sunday.
Keep reading:
– Yeferson Soteldo revealed the objective of Vinotinto beyond the Copa América 2024
– Rafael Romo: Who is the historic Venezuelan goalkeeper who denied Mexico a goal?
– “You will cry and cry”: La Vinotinto sings a spicy song after beating Mexico