By Jorge Hernandez
04 Jul 2024, 22:27 PM EDT
The Venezuelan midfielder Yangel Herrera He said this Thursday, on the eve of the quarter-final match of America Cup against Canadathat the group’s focus is on reaching the semi-finals to “match the biggest historic event” of the Vinotinto in the continental tournament.
“There is that incentive that we are 90 minutes away from equaling what he has done Venezuela “in the history of the Copa America,” said Girona’s Herrera at a press conference at AT&T Stadium in Texas, where the qualifying round will be played on Friday.
“That is our focus: 90 minutes away from equalling the biggest historical date,” The midfielder reiterated, referring to the 2011 Copa América, the only time that La Vinotinto reached the semi-finals of the tournament.
That is why Herrera, one of the leaders of this team led by Fernando Batista, said that the team, whose “emotional and mental state is incredible,” has to go into the stadium on Friday “with extra motivation.”
Despite Venezuela’s excellent first phase, with 3 wins in 3 matches played against Ecuador, Mexico and Jamaica, Herrera said that the group feels “zero pressure” ahead of the qualifiers, starting with the match against Canada.
“It would be very sad to lose the next game, but our mentality is not there, it is not about losing.”, said.
Venezuela-Canada will kick off at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT at the stadium of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
The team that makes it to the semi-finals will face the winner of Argentina vs. Ecuador, which takes place this Thursday, in the first match of the quarter-finals.
*With information from EFE.
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