Paraguay try to keep pace with Brazil, Argentina

Paraguay will try to keep pace with Brazil and Argentina when they face a demoralised Peru in the South American World Cup qualifiers tomorrow.

Brazil, at home to Colombia in Maceio, and Argentina, who are away to Chile, already appear certain to qualify from the 10-nation South American group, which reached the half-way mark at the weekend.

The world champions, unbeaten after nine games, lead with 19 points, followed by Argentina one point behind as the old rivals break away from the rest of the pack.

Brazil are already speculating how many more points they need to clinch a place at their 18th World Cup - a far cry from the 2002 qualifiers when they lost six matches and only booked their place in their final game.

The other eight teams are chasing the two remaining direct places at the 2006 World Cup while the fifth-placed team faces a two-leg playoff against the winners of the Oceania region. Those matches - almost certainly against Australia - will take place late next year.

Paraguay, third with 15 points, look an increasingly good prospect to take the third spot, especially if they win their match in Asuncion.

Meanwhile, a dogfight is developing between the other teams with only four points separating Ecuador (13) in fourth place and Colombia, Peru and Bolivia (9). In between are Chile (12) and Venezuela and Uruguay (both 10).

Paraguay are without injured captain Carlos Gamarra and striker Roque Santa Cruz but should still be too well-organised and determined for a Peru team which has fallen into disarray.

Brazil, oozing confidence after Saturday's 5-2 win in Venezuela, are without suspended Kaka for tomorrow's game in Maceio.

The bad news for Colombia - who wasted a hatful of chances before conceding a late equaliser against Paraguay in a 1-1 draw last Saturday - is that his likely substitute is Adriano, topscorer in the Copa America with seven goals.

Argentina, fresh from their 4-2 win over neighbours Uruguay in their first match under Jose Pekerman, travel to Santiago to face a Chile team which has not won in their last three outings and failed to score in their last two.

The week's other matches are both six-pointers with Venezuela facing Ecuador in San Cristobal on Thursday and Bolivia taking on Uruguay in La Paz tonight.