AGENCIES

Canada reached the semifinals of the Copa America after beating Venezuela 4-3 on penalties after the 90-minute game finished 1-1 yesterday.

Canada will face defending champions Argentina in the semifinal in New Jersey on Wednesday at 6am, Bangladesh Time.

Jacob Shaffelburg fired Canada into the lead in the 13th minute but Salomon Rondon equalised in the 64th, before Canada triumphed in the shoot-out to set up a last-four meeting with world champions Argentina.

The Canadians, under American coach Jesse Marsch, who only took over the team in mid-May, are playing in the Copa America for the first time and produced a relentless display of pressing in what was a frantic game.

Both teams failed to score from the spot twice in the shoot-out, leaving it at 3-3 after five penalties each and sending the contest into sudden death.

Canada keeper Max Crepeau, who had made a major error for Venezuela’s equaliser, made amends as he saved Wilker Angel’s kick.

“Everybody needs to realize the respect this country deserves and these footballers deserve,” Crepeau told Fox Sports.

“Everybody says ‘these Canadians’, well these Canadians are in the semi-finals of Copa America”.

Canada face a stern test in the semifinals, coming up against World Champions Argentina side.

But after a performance of remarkable energy and determination against a Venezuela team that won all three of their group stage games, Marsch will believe his team could pull off another upset and reach the final in Miami on July 14.

Canada played Argentina in the opening game of the group stage, losing 2-0 to the defending champions and will start as huge underdogs again in the semi-final.

“It’s going to take everything. We played them in the group stage, we played well but didn’t get the win we wanted,” Canada captain Alphonso Davies said.

“Going into this game, we know what’s on the line. We win and go forward, we lose and go home. They’re going to come out with everything. We’re hungrier than ever, we expect a battle as they should.”