THE CANADIAN PRESS
MERIDA, Venezuela — Canada needed some last-minute heroics to keep from going 0-for-2 on its mini tour of South America.
A header by midfielder Gavin McCallum in injury time gave Canada a 1-1 draw against Venezuela in a friendly match Saturday.
Angel Chourio scored for Venezuela in the 44th minute, knocking in a deep pass from Yohandry Perozo.
The scoring was evened in the 93rd minute when McCallum headed in a free kick by Issey Nakajima-Farran, after a foul at the border of the area of defender Henry Pernia.
"We fought to the end and I thought we deserved the point," said Nakajima-Farran.
Chourio hit the crossbar minutes before scoring in a first half that lacked many good scoring chances.
"I felt we controlled the game and we had good speed," said Canadian head coach Stephen Hart. "There were two fundamental mistakes — the second on which they scored."
The Canadians came out strong to start the second half, creating opportunities before Venezuela slowed the pace of the game, but they needed injury time to get an equalizer.
"We pushed forward very well, but Venezuela was very good on the counter attack," said Hart. "I was happy to see the team respond and get the late goal."
Canada, which is in the midst of a restructuring with an eye to the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2011, lost 5-0 to Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.
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With files from the Associated Press.