Paraguay on cruise control
Paraguay striker Nelson Valdez is ecstatic after scoring against Venezuela during their World Cup qualifying match against Venezuela at the Defensores del Chaco in Asuncion on Tuesday.Photo: AFP
Paraguay consolidated top position in the 10-team South American zone qualifier for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a comfortable 2-0 win over struggling Venezuela on Tuesday.
First half goals from Cristian Riveros after 29 minutes and Nelson Haedo after 45 minutes were enough to assure a further three points for the home team in front of 35,000 fans at the Defensores del Chaco stadium.
Venezuela had little but stubborn defence to offer and were fortunate not to lose by a wider margin in the final minutes of the game.
Riveros stabbed the ball in from close range after 28 minutes when he was quick to react after Claudio Morel Rodriguez's low pass into the area deflected off a Venezuela defender.
Paraguay's second goal came when Julio Manzur's long clearance out of defence was headed on by Roque Santa Cruz into the path of the unmarked Haedo Valdez, who placed his shot under Renny Vega.
The win puts Paraguay on 17 points from eight games, five points clear of Brazil and Argentina who are tied for second place on 12 points but have each a game in hand.
Both are expected to close the gap to two points with wins on Wednesday. Brazil play host to bottom dogs Bolivia, while Argentina travel to Peru who are second from bottom.
The other games on Wednesday see Chile take on Colombia at home and Uruguay play Ecuador in Montevideo.
The top four teams automatically qualify for the World Cup finals, while the fifth-placed team will go into a playoff against a team from the CONCACAF north and central America zone.
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