Canada defy the odds as Copa America adventure kicks on

With a new coach in charge and a run of poor results in the build up to Copa America, Canada were tipped by many to make an early exit, but Jesse Marsch's side continued their dream run at the tournament on Friday by beating Venezuela to move into the semi finals.

Canada's preparations for their first-ever Copa America campaign were far from ideal, with Marsch only being appointed in May and taking charge of a team that had won just two out of their last five matches.

His first match as coach was a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of the Netherlands on June 6, 15 days before their tournament opener against Argentina, which they lost 2-0.

Canada were the lowest-ranked team in Group A, but kept two clean sheets as they ground out results against Peru and Chile to qualify for the quarter-finals, where they pressed with intensity and claimed a 1-1 draw with Venezuela, before winning on penalties.

Asked what he had learnt about the Canada team in the month since his first match on the sidelines, Marsch told reporters: "All the things that I know about them now, I sensed back then; their commitment, their desire, their willingness to learn.

"All of that has led to bigger belief and self-confidence."

With an average age of just over 25 years, Canada have one of the youngest squads at the Copa America.

'Les Rouges' have used their youthful exuberance to great effect in the tournament, turning matches into gruelling physical contests while looking to use their speed to catch opponents on the break.

"It's a very athletic team. It's a very fast team. I've tried to build in the right kind of aggression for them to go after opponents, to go after big games and to believe in how we're building this," Marsch said.

"Their commitment to try to learn,