Guinea beaten 2-1 by Venezuela in Caracas

Giancarlo Maldonado grabbed both Venezuela's goals from the penalty spot

Guinea were beaten 2-1 by Venezuela in an international friendly in Caracas on Tuesday.

Striker Giancarlo Maldonado converted two first-half penalties to give the hosts a comfortable half-time lead.

Maldonado opened the scoring in the 26th minute after being fouled himself, before firing home after 39 minutes after a foul on Johandry Orozco.

Guinea's Camara Abou reduced arrears 11 minutes from time when illegally challenged by defender Jose Manuel Rey.

Both sides had few clear scoring opportunities throughout the match, which was played in Caracas' Olympic Stadium.

Venezuela finished third in July's Copa America - their best ever result in the South American football championship.

Meanwhile, Guinea are leading Nigeria in Group B as both teams battle to reach the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

With 13 points to Nigeria's 10, the Guineans will secure qualification for Equatorial Guinea and Gabon should they avoid defeat in Nigeria next month.

On Saturday, the Syli Nationale beat Ethiopia 1-0 at home to stay in pole position in the group.