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World Cup qualifying: Venezuela thump Peru, keep mathematical hopes alive [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Maracaibo (Reuters) - Venezuela have thumped Peru 4-1 to keep alive a mathematical chance of qualifying for their first World Cup.
South African-based Jose Torrealba scored twice, while Giancarlo Maldonado and Juan Arango were also on target, as Venezuela handed Peru their second heavy defeat in three qualifiers under new coach Freddy Ternero.
Venezuela, who have 18 points from 16 games, temporarily moved up to seventh place in the 10-nation South American qualifying group, above Uruguay on their head-to-head record.
Uruguay are at home to Colombia, fifth with 20 points, on Sunday.
The top four teams qualify directly for Germany and the fifth play off against the Oceania region winners for another place.
Venezuela went ahead in the 16th minute when Maldonado fired home a rebound after Arango's shot was parried by Erick Delgado.
PSV Eindhoven striker Jefferson Farfan equalised for Peru in the 62nd minute, but their relief was short-lived.
Five minutes later, Maldonado set up Arango for Venezuela's second before Mamelodi Sundowns striker Torrealba added further goals in the 72nd and 79th minutes.
Peru, beaten 5-0 by Colombia in Ternero's first qualifier in charge and ninth in the table with 15 points, had midfielder Juan La Rosa sent off in injury time for a second yellow card.
The team have fallen apart without experienced midfielders Nolberto Solano and Roberto Palacios, who have both fallen out with the coach.
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