Venezuela Names 20-man Squad

Venezuelan coach Richard Paez has named his 20-man squad to take on the Socceroos this Thursday morning (EDST).

By Ben Coonan

Venezuelan coach Richard Paez has named his 20-man squad to take on the Socceroos this Thursday morning (EDST).  Eight players based outside of Venezuela are included in the squad with local powerhouse Caracas FC providing over a quarter of twenty players named.  Paez has introduced four players not used in the Vintinto-s World Cup Qualifying Campaign thus far, those being Caracas FC defenders Jobanny Rivero and Andres Rouga, Uruguyan based midfielder Andree Gonzalez and Vicenza striker Massimo Margiotta.  Margiotta selection is an interesting one, as he was a member of the Italian Olympic team that played at Sydney 2000. He came on a substitute in the tournament opening game against Australia.   Key absentees from the Venezuelan lineup are ever-present midfielders Ricardo Paez and Daniel Noriega, who have featured regularly in Venezuela-s quest for a berth a Germany.  Four of the squad has started in each of the Vinotinto-s World Cup Qualifiers, those being custodian Gilberto Angelucci, defender Jose Manuel Rey and midfielders Leopoldo Jimenez and Juan Arango (pictured above).  Goalkeepers Gilberto ANGELUCCI - Mineros de Guayana, Venezuela Rafael DUDAMEL - UA Maracaibo, Venezuela

Defenders Jobanny RIVERO - Caracas FC, Venezuela Jose Manuel REY - Caracas FC, Venezuela Andrés Rouga - Caracas FC, Venezuela Luis VALLENILLA - Caracas FC, Venezuela Jonay HERNANDEZ - Dundee, Scotland Alejandro CICHERO - Nacional, Uruguay Héctor GONZALEZ - Colón Santa Fe, Argentina  Midfielders Leopoldo JIMENEZ - UA Maracaibo, Venezuela Luis VERA - Caracas FC, Venezuela Jorge ROJAS - Caracas FC, Venezuela Leonel VIELMA - Deportivo Tachira, Venezuela Andree GONZALEZ - Plaza Colonia, Uruguay Gabriel URDANETA - Kriens, Switzerland Juan ARANGO - Puebla, Mexico

Strikers Alejandro MORENO - Los Angeles Galaxy, United States Massimo MARGIOTTA - Vicenza, Italy Ruberth MORAN - UA Maracaibo, Venezuela Alexander RONDON - Deportivo Tachira, Venezuela