Holders Brazil will attempt to win a
competitive international in Uruguay for the first time on Wednesday as
they try to keep up with group leaders Argentina in the South American
World Cup qualifiers.
Argentina, who host Colombia in Buenos Aires, have 25 points from 12
matches, while Brazil have 23 points.
The two countries have pulled away from the rest of the 10-team group
with nearest rivals Ecuador on 19 points. The top four teams qualify for
the finals in Germany and the fifth plays off against the Oceania
winners.
Brazil, without suspended central defender Juan and injured striker
Adriano, were beaten 1-0 on their last visit to Montevideo in 2001.
Although the five-times world champions won a friendly at the Centenario
stadium in 1976, they have never got the better of their smaller
neighbours away from home in a competitive game.
Argentina, who fielded a second-string team when they beat Bolivia 2-1
in La Paz on Saturday, are expected to revert to their regular lineup
for the visit of Colombia.
Colombia's 5-0 win in Buenos Aires in 1993 is a distant memory and the
visitors will this time be delighted with a point.
Peru, second from bottom with 13 points, must beat neighbours Ecuador at
home to stay in touch with the pack as they attempt to qualify for their
first World Cup since 1982.
Ecuador's position is not as comfortable as it appears despite their 5-2
demolition of Paraguay on Sunday.
Luis Fernandez Suarez's team have won all their points at home but play
four of their last six games away. Defeat in Lima could suck them back
into the chasing pack.
Peru, on the other hand, will lose touch if they fail to win.
INJURY WORRIES
Only three points separate fourth-placed Paraguay and Peru. Uruguay (15
points), Colombia, Chile and Venezuela (all 14) are squeezed in between
while bottom-placed Bolivia on 10 points appear to be the only team out
of the running.
Paraguay host Chile next and coach Anibal Ruiz is confident his team can
bounce back from Sunday's mauling in Quito as they attempt to reach
their third successive World Cup.
"I have full confidence that the players will recover from this because
they have personality and they love their national team," he said
Venezuela, attempting to qualify for their first World Cup, are beset by
injury and suspension worries as they travel to Bolivia on Tuesday.
The visitors have injuries to midfielders Juan Arango, Ricardo Paez and
Leonel Vielma, defenders Jorge Rojas and Luis Vallenilla and striker
Ruberth Moran while Luis Jimenez is suspended.
Bolivia, once considered almost invincible in La Paz where they play at
3,600 metres above sea level, have lost twice there are searching for a
first win under Ovidio Messa, their third coach of the campaign. |
