The 4-2 defeat suffered by Venezuela against Chile ended a disappointing 2024 for the team led by Argentine Fernando ‘Bocha’ Batista in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, in which they scored only 3 points out of a possible 18 and fell . in eighth place.
Vinotinto’s 2023 had been promising, with 9 points out of 18 up for grabs, while a slogan born on social media became a mantra among the fans of the only South American nation that was never able to play in the World Cup: “Hand, I have faith “.
«We must do self-criticism and start working on what is to come (…). “We have to make sure that next year is much better than this year,” Batista commented in the press conference after the defeat at the National Stadium in Santiago.
Argentina leads the ranking with 25 units in 12 days; escorted by Uruguay, with 20; Ecuador and Colombia, with 19 each; Brazil, with 18; and Paraguay, with 17. At this point, they are the six teams that are in the direct access zone to the World Cup which will be organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Venezuela, who five days earlier had drawn 1-1 at home against Brazil, are at 12 in a series of eight appearances without a win, ahead of only Chile (9) and last-placed Peru (7).
«We weren’t up to the task»
Jefferson Savarino in the 13th minute and Rubén Ramírez in the 22nd minute scored Venezuela’s goals during their visit to Chile. Vinotinto took the lead twice but ended up losing to Ricardo Gareca’s men.
Eduardo Vargas in the 20th, Tomás Rincón in the own goal trying to deflect a shot from Gabriel Suazo in the 29th and Lucas Cepeda twice in the 38th and 47th gave the victory to a Chilean team that came into the match in crisis and was barely managed to win any of their five previous home World Cup matches.
«We are all sad, disappointed by the performance we gave. We knew it was an important match and we weren’t up to the task,” goalkeeper Rafael Romo told reporters.
«We must assume our responsibilities. We could have positioned ourselves (with a view to the World Cup) and we didn’t take this step,” said captain Rincón. “We will have to draw strength to get back on our feet. “Next year will be the year in which we risk everything,” he added.
With World Cup places increasingly distant, the play-offs seem to be the remaining objective.
This while Bolivia takes advantage of its move to El Alto, 4,150 meters above sea level. There, the highland team defeated Venezuela 4-0, then beat Colombia 1-0 and drew 2-2 with Gustavo Alfaro’s reborn Paraguay.
Last month, Vinotinto also took the lead in Asunción against Paraguay, eventually losing 2-1.
How can the Venezuelan Football Federation improve talent development for future success?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Soccer Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment, where we delve into the latest developments in the world of soccer. Today, we’re joined by soccer analyst and commentator, Dr. Mariana Ruiz, who specializes in South American football. Thank you for being here, Dr. Ruiz.
Dr. Mariana Ruiz: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Venezuela’s recent performance in the South American qualifiers has been quite disappointing, particularly their 4-2 defeat against Chile, which left them in eighth place, having garnered only 3 points out of a possible 18. What do you think went wrong for the Vinotinto this year?
Dr. Ruiz: It’s a multifaceted issue. First, there’s the pressure of expectations. After a promising 2023 where they managed to secure 9 points, the drastic dip in performance this year was unexpected. They struggled with consistency, and the pressure to perform can sometimes lead to nervous play, especially against formidable opponents like Chile.
Editor: You mentioned expectations. There seemed to be a growing optimism among fans and players, highlighted by the slogan “Hand, I have faith.” How do you think this impacted the team’s psyche as the qualifiers progressed?
Dr. Ruiz: That mantra indeed brought a refreshing sense of hope and unity among Venezuelan fans. However, when results didn’t align with that optimism, it could have created a psychological burden. The team may have overextended themselves trying to fulfill the high hopes, leading to mistakes on the field. Self-Criticism, as Coach Batista mentioned, is crucial now to recalibrate their mindset and focus on improvement for the future.
Editor: Batista addressed the need for self-criticism and emphasized a better performance next year. In terms of strategy, what changes do you think he should implement moving forward?
Dr. Ruiz: Tactical adjustments are necessary. They need to solidify their defensive structure and enhance their midfield connectivity. Attacking-wise, finding a way to consistently convert scoring opportunities is vital. Additionally, he should focus on integrating younger talents who can bring fresh energy and perspectives to the team.
Editor: Looking at the standings, teams like Argentina and Uruguay are dominating with impressive points. How does Venezuela’s current standing impact their chances for the next World Cup?
Dr. Ruiz: The current standings make it challenging for Venezuela, as they need to climb significantly to remain in contention. With six teams currently in the direct access zone, every match is crucial. They must focus on gaining maximum points in future qualifiers—there’s simply no room for error. A robust plan for nurturing home-grown talent will also be key in building long-term success.
Editor: You’ve brought up a great point about talent development. What specific steps can the Venezuelan Football Federation take to overhaul their approach in nurturing young players?
Dr. Ruiz: They should invest more in grassroots development programs and youth academies, which means better scouting and training infrastructure. Engaging local clubs in these efforts would also help create a talent pipeline. Moreover, fostering a stronger connection with the diaspora could unveil additional talent abroad that could strengthen the national team.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz, for your insights. It’s clear that while Venezuela has faced challenges, there is also potential for growth and improvement. We appreciate your expertise in navigating these complex topics in South American soccer.
Dr. Ruiz: Thank you! I hope to see positive changes in Venezuelan football. There’s always hope, and the love for the game can drive progress.
Editor: Absolutely. And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Let’s keep an eye on Venezuela as they regroup and ready themselves for the next chapter in their quest for World Cup qualification. Until next time!