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Brazil top, Uruguay crushed, Chile show determination
Rounds six and seven were played out in the first week of June with teams swapping places and closing in on each other by weeks end.
We start with the battle for the wooden spoon in the standings with Ecuador and Colombia battling it out in Quito. Ecuador got off to a blinder of a start with Agustin Delgardo netting in the third minute. But Colombia weren't going to give it up easily and held the home side. They equilised after the half time break, Frankie Oviedo scoring his second of the world cup campaign. But Ecuador retook the lead 10 minutes later when Franklin Salas put the ball past the Colombian keeper. 2-1 to Ecuador and Colombia struggling at the foot of the table.
Second last Bolivia were looking to cause a huge upset against third placed Paraguay at home. The altitude in La Paz helped as Luis Cristaldo got the Bolivians ahead early in the 9th minute. Paraguay struck back faster than the Colombians did in their match, Jose Cardozo scoring yet again in the 33rd minute for Paraguay. They went into the break at 1-1 but it was the Bolivians that came out the better. A 71st minute goal from Roger Suarez gave the hosts a victory noone could have picked. A loss Paraguay could ill aford with the battle for top four positions heating up.
Chile were one of those sides looking to improve their position but had to face a rampent Venezuela. On the back of some strong wins, one being a 3-0 demolition of Uruguay, Venezuela were a tough prospect at home for the travelling Chile. However it was another upset on the cards. For 82 minutes it remained 0-0 before Mauricio Pinilla scored for Chile in the 83rd minute. A 1-0 victory elevating the Chilians in the standings.
Uruguay were looking to use Peru as their launch pad back into form. And with a new coach they were semi-banking on the history a new coach brings to a side. Peru however saw only one thing in it's way. A team that were struggling for form and they were looking to cash in on a possible three points. They started in superb style as well. Nolberto Solano and Claudio Pizarro netted in the 15th and 19th minute respectively. After the break Peru didn't let up, scoring once more just after the hour through Jefferson Farfan. Uruguay struck back on 72 minutes through substitute Diego Forlan but it meant little in the outcome. Peru upsetting the struggling blue and white.
The match of the round however was between the two South American giants. Brazil hosted Argentina. It was the host nation that got the best start with Ronaldo netting from the spot in what would prove to be the first of a record setting hat-trick. They went into the break at 1-0 after Argentina had wasted numerous chances. After the break Ronaldo was fouled again in the area and scored his second from the spot. Brazil 2-0. Argentina came back in the 79th minute, injecting some life into the last ten minutes of the match. Juan-Pablo Sorin the hero for Argentina on this occassion. However a third foul in the box and a third dot shot put Ronaldo in the record books. The 90th minute goal made Ronaldo the first man to score a hat-trick from the penalty spot in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier and only the fourth man in history to do it. Brazil walked out 3-1 winners, taking the top spot in the standings.
And so onto round seven and it became the round of draws. Peru looking to capitalise on it's good form took on the nation that recently beat Uruguay as well, Venezuela. A 0-0 draw was all they could muster from their night in Lima. Argentina rued their wasted chances as they were held to 0-0 by Paraguay at home. Paraguay were happy with the away point, recognising the difficult nature of the trip to Brunos Aires. Brazil also had to share the points in Chile in controversial circumstances. Luis Fabiano scored early for the visiting world champions and looked to have it wrapped up until a penalty was given to Chile. Replays suggested it was a dive. It didn't matter though as Reinaldo Navia scored from the spot to make it 1-1.
Ecuador faced Bolivia in with both nations coming off the back of big wins. And once again it'd be a single goal by a Bolivian that would be the difference. Infact it was the opening goal. Herman Soliz put the ball into his own net to give Ecuador a 28th minute lead. This opened the flood gates for Ecuador as Agustin Delgardo and Ulises De La Cruz netting for Ecuador in the 32nd and 38th minutes respectively. They went into the break with a 3-0 lead but Bolivia had plans to try and crash their early party. Limberg Gutierrez got the Bolivians on the board in the 58th minute and the game was thrown open for a Bolivian result when Jose Castillo scored on 76 minutes. The hosts held on though but will be disappointed for almost blowing a 3-0 lead while Bolivia will be disappointed by the own goal that gave Ecuador the win.
Uruguay had their backs to the wall but if they were going to get a victory it would be against Colombia. However Colombia had improved slightly and it showed. Victor Pacheco netted in the 17th minute followed by a 19th minute strike by Tressor Monero to put Uruguay on the backfoot immediatly. Pacheco scored a second on 31 minutes as Colombia went into the break at 3-0 ahead. It was only going to get better though as John Restrepo and Sergio Herrera scored in the 80th minute and 85th minute respectively. A 5-0 rout of Uruguay by low lying Colombia cemented the Uruguayan's place in second last in the standings.
So with a win and a draw from this week Brazil will be annoyed at the fact they threw away a golden chance to move ahead of nearest rivals Argentina. Brazil sit on 13 points after three wins and four draws while Argentina have 12 points with three wins, three draws and the loss to Brazil. Chile hold third spot on 11 points, ahead on goal difference to Paraguay. Ecuador, on the back of tw wins, sit in fifth. They are also ahead on goal difference to Venezuela who have 10 points. Peru flew up the standings with four more points, sitting seventh on 9 points. Colombia's 5-0 win gives them an even goal difference but only 7 points and eighth place. Uruguay's two losses dropped them down to ninth on seven points. the fact they've conceded 11 goals in the last three matches not helping. Bolivia sit on 6 points at the foot of the table but are still bouyed by their defeat of Paraguay.
8 June, 2004 |
