The second half of the international friendly between Canada and Venezuela featured some drama, as both sides had a player sent off with a red card.
In the 60th minute, Ismael Kone – who scored Canada’s goal earlier in the 23rd minute – was given a straight red card after a high tackle against Kevin Kelsy of Venezuela.
Kone attacked with a high foot when the players met over a ball in the midfield, but the contact between the two players occurred with Kone delivering a shoulder to the midsection of Kelsy.
The decision of the referee to show Kone a red card was met by fierce protest by the Canadian side, specifically centre back Joel Waterman, but Kone was sent off after a discussion regardless.
That red card evened the competition between the two sides. In the 57th minute, Venezuela’s David Martinez was shown a red card after a scuffle with Richie Laryea.
Laryea was fouled by Martinez, who applied excessive contact in a challenge for the ball, but after the play was whistled dead, Martinez got to his feet and struck Laryea in the face with his hand, drawing an immediate red from the referee with minimal protest by the Venezuelan side.
The final 30 minutes of the international friendly were played with 10 men on each side.