Solano starts on road to World Cup

Nolberto Solano got a full 90 minutes under his belt as Peru drew 0-0 at home against Paraguay to start their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign on Saturday night.

Solano had a midfield role in an experienced lineup that also featured Jefferson Farfan and Chelsea's Claudio Pizarro up front. The versatile 32-year-old was winning his 80th cap for his country in an international career that dates back to 1994.

Peru have not played at the finals since 1982 but have high hopes of taking one of the four automatic spots on offer to teams from South America in South Africa after the ten-team continental table is played out on a home and away basis. The fifth-placed team go through to a play-off against one of the teams from CONCACAF - the North and Central America, and Caribbean section.

Peru are next in action on Wednesday evening when they go to Santiago to face Chile, who lost 2-0 in Argentina on Saturday night after two Juan Roman Riquleme goals. While the final Euro 2008 qualifiers are being held next month, Peru will have another World Cup double-header on 17 and 20 November at home against Brazil and away to Ecuador respectively.