Experienced defender Ronald Raldes called up by Venezuelan coach Cesar Farias for Bolivia
Ronald Raldes, an experienced defender, was called up this Tuesday by Venezuelan coach Cesar Farias to join the Bolivian national team, which is preparing for a friendly match against the United States on May 28th in Philadelphia.
A statement from the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) announced the call-up of Raldes, who will join the group "after playing for Bolivar in the Copa Libertadores match against Delfín from Ecuador", which will be played this Thursday.
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The defender, who plays for Bolivar and was captain of the national team, was sent off on Sunday during the first leg of the Bolivian tournament semifinals between his team and The Strongest.
Farías was appointed interim coach of Bolivia last week and will be in charge of the national team for the rest of the year, while maintaining his contract with The Strongest until the end of the current season.
For the friendly against the United States, the Venezuelan coach called up 24 players, including five who play for foreign clubs and the rest mostly from local teams that no longer have a chance to compete for the Apertura tournament title.
During the weekend, the training sessions began in La Paz, and goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra from Hapoel Ra'anana in Israel and Rodrigo Vargas Castillo from Karpaty FC in Ukraine joined during this day.
In statements to the media, Viscarra highlighted his willingness to understand the idea that the coach of the national team has for the team and to take this new process with "responsibility".
In addition to Raldes, midfielder Fernando Saucedo from Wilstermann was also called up at the last moment.
The national team will also face other friendly matches against South Korea on June 7th and against Serbia two days later, both in Innsbruck, Austria.
EFE