Venezuela Coach To Start Game With Eight Professionals

The Venezuela squad has been depleted by injuries ahead of Wednesday's Fifa sanctioned international friendly against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. So, it becomes easy for the young Burgundy gaffer Cesar Farias to pick his starting eleven.

The most respected football website in the South American nation, Lavinotinto.com, has hinted on the likely team list to tackle Nigeria at Marlins' new baseball stadium, Miami, Florida. Though not official, based on the team's training sessions, Cesar Farias will start the game with a flexible 4 - 4 - 2 formation.

Cesar Farias is expected to begin with Real Valladolid, Spain custodian Daniel Hernandez in goal. The defenders are Alexander Gonzalez,(Young Boys, Switzerland), Oswaldo Vizcarrondo(CA Lanús, Argentina), Fernando Amorebieta (Athletic de Bilbao, Spain) and Roberto Rosales(Twente, Netherlands).

Tonight's clash could be won and lost in midfield. Nigeria has a strong physical presence in midfield, and to counter that, coach Farias has opted for experienced midfielders - defensive midfielder Lucena, Franklin (Caracas FC), left winger Seijas Luis Manuel(Standard Liege, Belgium), skipper Juan Arango(Borussia, Germany) and attacking midfielder Cesar Gonzalez (Deportivo Tachira). The four midfielders have amassed a total of 236 international caps.

Rubin Kazan attacker Salomon Rondon will lead the attack. Joining him is the highly rated Gelmin Rivas of Deportivo Anzoátegui SC, who will be suiting up for The Burgundy the second time in his career.

The match kicks off at 02:05 Hours local time on Thursday, and will be broadcast in Nigeria by Supersport and AIT.

Editor