Pizarro heads Peru into quarterfinals

Jul 4, 2007 - 4:25 AM MERIDA, Venezuela (Ticker) - Two goals by new Chelsea signing Claudio Pizarro helped Peru twice come from behind to book their place in the quarterfinals of the Copa America after a 2-2 draw with Bolivia.

In front of 40,000 fans at the crowded Metropolitano stadium in Merida, Bolivia knew only victory in their final Group A clash was enough to make the last eight and began in promising fashion.

Jhasmani Campos' long-range efforttested Leao Butron before the Peru keeper produced a good stop to deny Lorgio Alvarez.

Hamburg striker Paolo Guerrero called Bolivia keeper Hugo Suarezinto action for the first time with an acrobatic attempt before Erwin Sanchez's side took the lead in the 24th minute.

Jaime Moreno gave his side a crucial advantage as the DC United striker cleverly lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Leao Butron from outside the box.

The lead lasted only 10 minutes, however, as Pizarro equalized with a precise header from Juan Carlos Marino's free-kick before Bolivia went ahead for the second time on the stroke of half-time as Joselito Vacafed Campos, whose powerful volley left Butron with no chance.

"All in all we should be happy as we've qualified, but we need to cut out the errors we committed," Pizarro said. "We can't play like that in the quarter-finals but I'm sure the coach will take the appropriate measures. He will be calm and prepare us for the next game."

However, Peru coach Julio Cesar Uribe did not show much calmness when asked about his team's performance.

"I'm not happy but we obtained our target," the Peru coach said. "We had a plan but once the team got on the pitch, they did something completely different. We played badly in the first half but improved after the break."

Uribe sent on Roberto Jimenez and Ysrael Zuniga during the interval in a bid to give his side more of an attacking threat.

But it was Bolivia who dominated possession with Suarez rarely threatened and Peru's task became even harder on 78 minutes when they were reduced to 10 men as Alianza Lima midfielderJoel Herrera picked up two yellow cards in less than two minutes.

However, another Marino free-kick five minutes from time allowed Pizarro to once again pull his side level with a towering header as the Incas sealed their passage to the knockout stages.

Bolivia, on the other hand, exited the tournament without a win to their name after drawing with hosts Venezuela and then suffering a narrow loss to Uruguay.

Venezuela topped a group at the Copa America for the first time in its history after a 0-0 draw with Uruguay in Merida on Tuesday saw the hosts win Group A.

A point apiece was good enough for both sides to qualify for the quarterfinals and neither team took any undue risks in drawing the first blank of the tournament.

The result meant Venezuela ended the group phase with five points and an unbeaten record, while Uruguay and Peru finished tied with four points but the latter claimed second place by virtue of a better goal difference.

Venezuela came closest to breaking the deadlock in a pedestrian first half but Uruguay keeperFabian Carinidid well to keep out Mallorca star Juan Arango'seffort from distance which was heading for the top corner. Carini was the saviour again three minutes later, denying Giancarlo Maldonado when the striker just had the Internazionale stopper to beat.

The second half carried on in much the same vein, although Uruguayan coach Oscar WashingtonTabarez did introduceAlvaro RecobaandSebastian Abreuto provide more attacking impetus but they still did not trouble Venezuela goalkeeper Rennie Vega.

Striker Diego Forlan fired just wide after 51 minutes and at the other end, Cesar Gonzalez saw a free-kick just clear the bar at the death for Venezuela.