Copa exit 'part of the process' for Venezuela
Venezuela head coach Fernando Batista has branded its Copa America quarter-final exit as "part of the process" after losing on penalties to Canada.
La Vinotinto enjoyed a perfect group stage, winning all three of its games to top Group B while conceding just one goal.
It fought back to force the shootout against Canada, with Salomon Rondon scoring a stunning long-range effort to cancel out Jacob Shaffelburg's early opener.
However, Wilker Angel missed his spot-kick when it went to sudden death, and Canada, making its tournament debut, moved on to the semi-finals.
Batista has remained positive, saying his team will use this tournament as a springboard to try and qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history.
"This is a long process," Batista said.
"We have a huge dream that we're going for. All Venezuelans want to qualify for the [FIFA] World Cup, and the Copa America gave us a possibility of strengthening our squad."
