Colombia hold on for draw in Peru
Colombia survived a late onslaught to hold on for a 1-1 draw away to Peru in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifier on Saturday. Hugo Rodallega gave Colombia an early lead before Juan Carlos Marino equalised in the 40th minute for Peru, who were criticised by their fans after losing 4-0 to Mexico in a friendly last week.
Colombia, still unbeaten in the South American qualification campaign, have nine points from five games and climbed above Brazil into third, albeit having played a game more. Peru are ninth of the ten-team group with just three points, all from home draws.
The hosts made a nervous start and fell behind in the eighth minute when goalkeeper Leao Butron failed to hold Fabian Vargas's bouncing shot and Rodallega slipped in the rebound. Colombia passed the ball around confidently for much of the first half, while the Peruvians were a collective bundle of nerves.
But the home side equalised five minutes before the break when Marino scrambled in Nolberto Solano's teasing cross from the right. That gave Peru more confidence and, after Butron atoned for his earlier error with a superb save from a Ruben Dario Bustos free-kick early in the second half, they took control.
Agustin Julio did well to save a Paulo Guerrero header on the line and Walter Vilchez volleyed narrowly wide, while Solano also had a volley cleared off the line by Bustos.
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Apuramento WC2010 - CONMEBOL | Apuramento | Day 5
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