South American places up for grabs
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Reuters) -- South America's World Cup qualifying race remained wide open after Wednesday's three matches were drawn, leaving all ten teams still in with a chance of reaching Germany in two year's time.
Brazil were frustrated by Colombia's ultra-defensive tactics as they were held to a goalless home draw in Maceio, while Argentina were hustled out of their normally elegant stride in another 0-0 stalemate in Santiago.
Peru were held 1-1 by Paraguay in Asuncion.
Nolberto's Solano's penalty in the second half gave Peru a share of the spoils to keep their hopes alive.
The results, which followed another goalless draw on Tuesday between Bolivia and Uruguay in La Paz, mean that Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay stayed on course for three of four guaranteed South American places in Germany.
After ten of the 18 rounds, Brazil lead with 20 points, followed by Argentina on 19 and Paraguay on 16.
The battle for the other direct place, plus the chance to play off against the Oceania region winners for a fifth spot, has developed into a dogfight.
Only three points separate fourth-placed Ecuador, with 13 points, and bottom-of-the-table Bolivia, who have 10.
Chile (13), Uruguay (11), and Colombia, Peru and Venezuela (10 each) are sandwiched between with Venezuela meeting Ecuador in San Cristobal on Thursday.
Sad Parreira
Brazilian media had predicted a goalfest in Maceio to follow Saturday's 5-2 win in Venezuela but Colombia had other ideas as they frustrated the world champions.
Both teams had apparently good goals disallowed.
The world champions were deprived in the 70th minute when a close-range shot by substitute striker Adriano thumped the underside of the crossbar.
Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda waved play on while television replays showed the ball had crossed the line by at least half a metre before bouncing out.
Two minutes earlier, Colombia defender Mario Yepes had a goal disallowed for offside as replays suggested his effort was legitimate.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was a frustrated man.
"For anyone who has seen some of the fine moments of Colombian football, it's sad to see a Colombian team without any intention of attacking," he said.
No complaints
Argentina coach Jose Pekerman had no complaints after his team's full-blooded game in Santiago, even though some of the Chilean tackling appeared over-the-top.
"I think Chile played a great match," Pekerman said. "They put is under pressure in the first half and we had some difficult moments. We couldn't find the ball."
Chilean Football Federation president Reinaldo Sanchez said that under-fire coach Juvenal Olmos would keep his job after a vast improvement over the showing in Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Ecuador.
Peru coach Paulo Autuori has also been walking a tightrope and it remains to be seen whether the point in Asuncion can save the Brazilian, who has been the victim of an often vicious media campaign.
Paraguay dominated the first-half and hit the woodwork three times before Carlos Paredes fired them ahead in the 29th minute.
Peru came to life in the second half, grabbing a draw with Solano's fourth goal of the qualifiers.
Peru were let off the hook when goalkeeper Oscar Ibanez saved a Julio Enciso penalty in the 88th minute but squandered a chance to take all the points as striker Jefferson Farfan missed an open goal in injury time.
