Venezuela strike again
ASUNCION: Venezuela’s astonishing transformation continued when they hammered once-mighty Uruguay 3-0 away in a World Cup qualifier while Brazil were held to a dour 0-0 draw in Paraguay.
Wednesday’s win took Venezuela to fourth in the South American qualifying group and left them level on nine points with five-time world champions Brazil, who are third thanks to a better goal difference after their game in Asuncion.
Colombia claimed their first win with a 2-0 victory in Lima against Peru. Colombia are ninth in the 10-strong group with Peru in seventh. The top four qualify for the 2006 Finals with the fifth playing off against the Oceania zone winners.
Venezuela, until recently considered cannon-fodder for the other South American teams, have enjoyed an unprecedented winning streak under coach Ricardo Paez.
But the match with Uruguay was the first time they have beaten one of the traditional powers so convincingly.
Gabriel Urdaneta began the rout with a 25m shot which went in off the post in the 19th minute.
The Venezuelans added two more on the counter-attack in the second half as Uruguay’s desperation got the better of them. Substitute Hector Gonzalez scored with his first touch of the ball in the 63rd minute, tapping Alexander Rondon’s pass into an empty net, and set up the third for Juan Arango 15 minutes later.
The crowd at Montevideo’s Centenario Stadium jeered their own team off the field and applauded the Venezuelans.
Brazil’s new-look attacking trio of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka had promised great things but were frustrated by a determined Paraguay team, who never gave them time to settle.
“We didn’t play with our usual style,” coach Carlos Alberto Parreira told reporters. “We tried too many direct balls instead of passing our way upfield. We needed to be more patient.”
Paraguay are second with 10 points, one behind leaders Argentina who beat Ecuador 1-0 on Tuesday. Chile, 2-0 winners in Bolivia on Tuesday, and Uruguay are fifth and sixth respectively with seven points each.
Peru lost touch with the leading group after their shock defeat against Colombia, who had sacked coach Francisco Maturana after picking up only one point in their first four games.
The Peruvians, attempting to qualify for their first World Cup since 1982, had made a good start under Brazilian coach Paulo Autuori and a sellout crowd had expected an easy win.
But, with captain Nolberto Solano missing through injury, Peru’s old failings resurfaced.
Striker Andres Mendoza missed a sitter in the 22nd minute and Peru quickly paid the price. Freddy Grisales volleyed Colombia ahead in the 29th minute and Frankie Oviedo headed the second before halftime to give coach Reinaldo Rueda a win in his first competitive international.
Peru have five points and are now only one ahead of Colombia, who have pulled level with Ecuador. Bolivia prop up the table with three points from five games. – Reuters
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