MARACAIBO, Venezuela, Feb 6 - Latin American
Player of the Year Matias Fernandez scored just before halftime
to give Chile a 1-0 win away to Venezuela in a friendly on
Wednesday.
Fernandez, 20, outfoxed his markers before beating Renny
Vega with a low, left-foot shot two minutes before halftime,
his third goal for his country.
Fernandez, who joined Spanish club Villareal from Colo Colo
at the end of last year, orchestrated the visitors as they
dominated the first half.
Humberto Suazo was twice close to opening the scoring and
Mark Gonzalez also threatened before Fernandez struck.
Chile continued to control the action after the break as
Reinaldo Navia forced a superb save from Vega.
Venezuela, who will host the Copa America in June and July,
nearly forced an equaliser when Alain Giroleti headed against
the post in the 83rd minute.
(Reporting by Guillermo Cardenas)