Brazil failed for the third straight time to win a World Cup qualifier
at home, getting booed by its fans at Maracana Stadium during a 0-0 tie
against Colombia on Wednesday night.
The five-time champions tied Argentina 0-0 in June and Bolivia 0-0
last month in its previous home matches. Brazil hasn’t scored a goal at
home since a 2-1 victory against Uruguay in late 2007. It is Brazil’s
longest period ever without a home goal in World Cup qualifiers.
Still, Brazil (4-1-5) is second in South American qualifying with 17
points, six behind Paraguay (7-1-2) and one ahead of Chile (5-4-1) and
Argentina (4-2-4). The top four teams qualify for the 2010 World Cup
and the No. 5 team advances to a playoff.
Colombia (2-3-5) is seventh with 11 points, two behind Uruguay (3-3-4) and one back of Ecuador (3-4-3).
Fans loudly jeered Brazil coach Dunga, in danger of losing his job
after the disappointing result. Some chanted “Goodbye, Dunga!”
In one of Brazil’s few scoring chances, defender Juan missed with a
header in the 30th minute. Striker Jo also had a couple of chances in
the second half, but none too dangerous.
Colombia, relying on counterattacks, came close with Darwin Quintero’s shot in the 50th and Wason Renteria’s strike in the 70th.
