Brazil held by Colombia to 0-0 in World Cup qualifier
CONMEBOL WC Qualifying
The five-time world champions also endured scoreless draws against then-last-place Bolivia last month and Argentina in June.
Brazil remains second in the 10-team South American race despite the result, but it trails leader Paraguay by six points. The Paraguayans, who beat Peru 1-0, have 23 points. Colombia, winless in six matches, has 11 points.
Fans at the less-than-packed Maracana grew upset as time went by and Brazil struggled to impose its game against the Colombians. Some chanted "Goodbye, Dunga," and not even Robinho was spared when he was substituted in the second half because of an injury.
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.
Colombia hasn't won since a 2-1 home win against Argentina last November. The Colombians also haven't scored a goal in five matches since a 1-1 draw at Peru in June.
Brazil hasn't scored a goal while playing 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.
The Brazilians were coming off a 4-0 routing of Venezuela in San Cristobal on Sunday, while Colombia fell 1-0 to Paraguay at home on Saturday.
Brazil desperately needed a victory to ease the frustration of the 0-0 draw against Bolivia, which also was played in Rio de Janeiro and prompted fans to criticize the players and Dunga.
CONMEBOL WC QUALIFIERS
It was the seventh draw between the teams in 23 matches. Brazil has 14 victories and Colombia two.
Brazil played without suspended regular Adriano, who received his second yellow card against Venezuela. He was replaced by Jo, who played up front along with Manchester City teammate Robinho.
Colombia interim coach Eduardo Lara made two changes from the squad that lost to Paraguay on Saturday. He used speedy striker Darwin Quintero up front instead of Giovanni Hernandez, and replaced midfielder Freddy Montero by Juan Carlos Toja.
Brazil and Colombia drew 0-0 in Bogota in the teams' opener in the qualifying tournament.
In the next round in March 2009, Brazil plays at Ecuador and Colombia hosts Bolivia.
Lineups:
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Juan (Thiago Silva, 66), Lucio, Kleber, Gilberto Silva, Josue, Elano (Mancini, 57), Kaka, Robinho (Alexandre Pato, 62), Jo.
Colombia: Agustin Julio, Camilo Zuniga, Luis Amaranto Perea, Mario Alberto Yepes, Pablo Armero, Fabian Vargas, Gerardo Bedoya (Abel Aguilar, 67) Freddy Guarin, Juan Carlos Toja, Darwin Quintero (Dayro Moreno, 70), Wason Renteria (Adrian Ramos, 75).
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