(Reuters) – Venezuela coach Fernando Batista said his country, which has reached the Copa America quarter-finals for the first time in five years, must forget its recent wins as it begins a “new tournament” against Canada on Friday.
Venezuela won their first three matches for the first time since their Copa debut in 1967 and advanced to the knockout stages as top of Group B.
With six goals in the tournament, Vinotinto is tied for second place in the total number of goals scored, and will be aiming to surpass his previous record of fourth place at the 2011 Copa Madrid.
But Batista urged his players to keep their feet on the ground and stay focused on the CONCACAF match at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
“What we experienced in the first round was very cool, but it's over now. We haven't achieved anything yet,” Batista said at a news conference on Thursday. “We are a growing team and we know that the next final is tomorrow.”
“There's still a long way to go and what's done is done. A new tournament begins now because we can't rely on draws or past results.”
Argentina-born coach Batista, who is currently leading Venezuela to fourth place in the 2026 World Cup CONMEBOL qualifiers, acknowledged Canada will not be an easy opponent and said he would try to avoid a potential penalty shootout.
“Defensively, Canada is strong and aggressive and has strengths in midfield,” said the 53-year-old coach.
“The aim is to win a 90 or 95 minute match. Of course, we practice penalty shootouts but that's not the aim.”
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Christian Radnage)
