Chile, Uruguay tie 0-0 in qualifier

2009-04-02 03:47:02 -

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Chile, playing with 10 men for much of the match, held Uruguay to a scoreless draw Wednesday in South American World Cup qualifying.
Chile now has 20 points in the South American series to overtake Argentina and sit four points behind leader Paraguay, which drew 1-1 with Ecuador.
Argentina has 19 points after losing 6-1 to Bolivia at La Paz. Brazil, with 18 points, hosted Peru later Wednesday.
Uruguay now has 17 points.
Chile was reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute when defender Mauricio Isla was sent off by Argentine referee Hector Baldassi after showing him a second yellow card.
The expulsion totally changed to game, with Uruguay gradually putting strong pressure and repeatedly attacking Chile.
Chile's best scoring chance came from a header by winger Alexis Sanchez of Italian club Udinese that hit the bar. A low shot by Isla, also from Udinese, grazed a post of the Uruguayan goal.
Uruguay also a good opportunity when a header by Diego Godin forced Chilean goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to a great save.
Bravo made several impressive saves to keep out shots by Diego Forlan and Cristian Rodriguez.

Lineups
Chile: Claudio Bravo; Waldo Ponce, Pablo Contreras, Gonzalo Jara; Mauricio Isla, Carlos Carmona, Jean Beaosejour (Manuel Iturra, 37 - Roberto Cereceda, 46), Matias Fernandez, Alexis Sanchez, Humberto Suazo, Mark Gonzalez.
Uruguay: Sebastian Viera, Maximiliano Pereira, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres, Diego Perez (Alvaro Fernandez, 39), Sebastian Eguren, Alvaro Pereira (Sebastian Abreu, 70), Cristian Rodriguez (Edison Cavani, 84), Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan.
Referee: Hector Baldassi, Argentina