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2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan"
Peru wreck Colombia's World Cup chances

©Reuters Limited 2001

Peruvian players Andres Mendoza (L) and Roberto Holsen talk to Colombian Mario Yepes (C) after winning against Colombia in their FIFA World Cup 2002" qualifying match. Eliana Aponte, Reuters.

Colombia, who last month won the Copa America for the first time, came back to earth with a bump on Thursday as they lost 1-0 to Peru, a defeat which could cost them a place at next year's World Cup.

The Colombians had been banking on three points at home to a Peruvian side which is already effectively out of the running in the South American qualifying group. Instead, they were sunk by a second half goal from Newcastle United's Nolberto Solano who angered his English club by playing in the match.

Colombia, aiming for a fourth successive World Cup appearance, remained sixth in the South American group, two points behind fifth-placed Uruguay and five adrift of fourth-placed Brazil with four games to play.

The top four teams qualify directly for Japan and South Korea while the fifth plays off for an extra place against Oceania winners Australia.

Leaders Argentina (35 points) are already qualified with Paraguay (26), Ecuador (25) and Brazil (24) well-placed to join them, leaving Uruguay (21) and Colombia (19) to battle for the match against Australia.

Peru's win took them to seventh place with 15 points but almost certainly came too late. Like Chile, Bolivia and Venezuela, they have no realistic chance of making the trip to South Korea and Japan.

Colombian Giovanny Hernandez controls the ball in fron of Peru's Jorge Soto during their FIFA World Cup 2002" qualifying match played at the Campin stadium in Bogota, August 16, 2001. Jose Miguel Gomez, Reuters.

Peru, who last played at the World Cup finals in 1982, survived two first half let-offs on a frustrating night for Colombia and the 45,000-strong crowd.

In the 23rd minute, an Ivan Lopez cross was diverted towards goal by a Peruvian defender but the ball amazingly bounced off the back of goalkeeper Miguel Miranda's head and over the bar. One minute before halftime, Jorge Soto then hooked Elkin Murillo's header off the line from under the crossbar with Miranda beaten.

Colombia defender Mario Yepes also had a goal disallowed for pushing in the 29th minute.

EXCELLENT SAVES
But, in an even and open match, Peru always looked more threatening and Colombia goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba made two excellent first half saves to deny Andres Mendoza. In the 47th minute, Solano won the ball off Frankie Oviedo on the edge of the penalty area, rounded Cordoba and fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro hit the Colombia crossbar in the 73rd minute and Mendoza was close with a stunning effort while the home team's attacks became increasingly desperate.

Colombia nearly equalised in the third minute of injury time when an effort from defender Yepes was tipped over by Miranda.

Colombia hosted and won last month's Copa America, beating Peru 3-0 on the way, but most countries fielded reserve teams due to fixture congestion. Curiously, Colombia coach Francisco Maturana was in charge of Peru when they teams met in Lima last year and on that occasion he was also the losing coach as Colombia won by a single goal.

Maturana was sacked by Peru last September and rejoined Colombia in May, having led his country at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.