Caracas, June 24 (IANS): The Venezuelan football team returned here after their elimination from Copa America in Chile.

Upon their arrival on Tuesday, the team was greeted by Sports Minister Pedro Infante and other local sporting authorities at the Simon Bolivar International Airport, reports Xinhua.

"The team will continue to improve in order to become a leader in South American football. Our team has been a model to follow for many years. However, we need to continue improving and the boys know that to achieve things they have to be daring," said Venezuela coach Noel Sanvicente.

Disappointed with the Copa America result, the team is already looking to the future. Venezuela is keen to do well in the preliminary rounds to qualify for the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

"We are on the right track," said the Venezuela coach, referring to the team's goal of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in the country's history.

"Without a doubt it is going to be quite hard but we show that we are ready to face this challenge," added Sanvicente.