Beating unrest at home, Venezuela makes it into first World Cup final
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Venezuela is also one of two teams, along with Ecuador, to never win the Copa America. The under-20 squad is playing in its second youth World Cup, after a round-of-16 exit eight years ago in Egypt. And no Venezuelan team has made it past the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores, the top club tournament in South America. (Associated Press)The situation has worsened over the past two months as the government reacted with a bloody crackdown to daily protests against Maduro that left 67 dead, more than 1,000 injured and over 400 detained. (Associated Press)Venezuela had finished third in the South American U20 championship earlier this year in Ecuador, its best result in history in a tournament that in the past has featured future stars like Messi, Brazil striker Neymar and Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez. (Associated Press)Rafael Dudamel (L) took over the coaching duties from Noel Sanvicente in April 2016 during a difficult period. Several members of the senior squad threatened to boycott international matches because they were not paid bonuses and other benefits like plane tickets and hotels. The local federation had trouble obtaining U.S. dollars to pay for basic expenses because of the strict currency controls imposed by the government of President Nicolas Maduro. (Associated Press)Venezuela reached its first soccer World Cup final after beating Uruguay in a penalty shootout in the semifinals of the under-20 tournament in South Korea. (Associated Press)With European-based players like West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon and Juventus midfielder Tomas Rincon, the senior team still struggled in World Cup qualifying. Meanwhile, Dudamel and his coaching staff searched for youth talent in the 18-team Venezuelan professional league, where matches are often played in mostly empty stadiums. (Associated Press)'President, it's time to put down the weapons,' Coach Dudamel said in post-game TV comments from South Korea after the semifinals. 'These kids that go out on the streets, the only thing they want is a better Venezuela.' (Associated Press)
