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Uruguay frustrate Bolivia after late comeback in La Paz

Bolivia’s Abdon Reyes, front, controls the ball as Uruguay’s Carlos Bueno looks on during their World Cup 2010 qualifying match in La Paz on Tuesday. PHOTO: AP

Two late goals allowed Uruguay to salvage a 2-2 draw against Bolivia in South American qualifying for the World Cup on Tuesday.

Uruguay fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to earn a point in La Paz, 3,600m above sea level.

Uruguay, forced by injuries and suspensions to make seven changes to the team that lost 2-1 in Argentina on Saturday, trailed at the break to a double from forward Marcelo Martins.

But the hosts ran out of steam in the second period as headed goals by Carlos Bueno in the 64th minute and substitute Sebastian Abreu in the 89th gave the Charruas an unlikely point.

The draw left Uruguay fourth in the 10-team South American group with 13 points from 10 games, ahead of Chile on goal difference, while Bolivia stayed eighth with nine points.

Abreu’s goal prevented Bolivia moving within two points of Chile, who have played only nine games, and one of Uruguay and Ecuador, with the latter also having a game in hand.

Martins opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a low shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the area after collecting a poor headed clearance.

He was also helped by slack defending in the 42nd minute when he escaped his marker and scored with a free header from Ronald Garcia’s cross.

Uruguay’s fightback began when Bueno, who had a shot parried by Carlos Arias with the score still goalless, rose between two defenders to head in Bruno Silva’s cross.

Uruguay continued to look more threatening as Maximiliano Pereira shot over and they equalized when Abreu rose at the far post to head in a curling cross from the left.

The draw frustrated a Bolivian side that hasn’t beaten Uruguay since 1997.
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