Venezuela beat Peru to clinch second Copa win

SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela, July 1 (Reuters) Copa America hosts Venezuela notched-up only their second win in the tournament's history after a heated 2-0 victory over 10-man Peru yesterday.

Second-half goals from defender Alejandro Cichero and substitute Daniel Arismendi put Venezuela top of Group A with four points from two games.

Their only previous Copa America win was against Bolivia on their debut appearance in 1967.

The Peruvians were furious after midfielder Pedro Garcia was sent off for elbowing in the 14th minute and Claudio Pizarro had a penalty appeal turned down in the second half.

Venezuela had midfielder Ricardo Paez sent off late in the second half and Cichero had a free kick given against him in stoppage time, apparently for playing keepy-up.

Peru began well but everything changed when Garcia was sent off for elbowing following a tussle with Maldonado, who collapsed theatrically clutching his face, even though replays showed the only contact was with his chin.

Peru restricted Venezuela to long-range shots after that, but the hosts broke the deadlock four minutes after halftime when Cichero headed in from a corner.

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero burst through the home defence a minute later only to strike his shot against the post before heading wide shortly after.

In the 62nd minute, Venezuela's Hector Gonzalez appeared to trip Pizarro as he tried to tap the ball into an empty net but Mexican referee Benito Armando Archundia waved play on.

Paez, son of Venezuela coach Richard Paez, picked up a second yellow card in the 78th minute for petulantly kicking the ball away after being flagged for offside.

But a minute later, Arismendi broke down the left, cut inside a defender and scored with a low 25-metre shot which crept inside the left-hand post.

Cichero's antics incensed the Peruvians leading to scuffles at the end of the game.

Reuters DH VP0715