MONTEVIDEO, 9 September 2003 — Brazil began their quest for a sixth World Cup crown with a hard-fought victory over Colombia but Peru and Uruguay scored heavy wins as the South American qualifiers for the 2006 finals in Germany got under way.

Brazil made history as they kicked off in the Colombian port city of Barranquilla on Sunday, becoming the first World Cup holders to have to earn their place in the next finals following a change in FIFA rules.

Ronaldo, the leading scorer in last year’s finals, gave Brazil the lead after 22 minutes, but Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel headed Colombia level before half-time. Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira made an inspired substitution, sending on 21-year-old AC Milan midfielder Kaka with half an hour left to play. With virtually his first touch he collected a pass from Ronaldo and fired past Oscar Cordoba to give Brazil victory.

“Winning the first match was important as we have a long trek ahead of us,” said Real Madrid striker Ronaldo. “But it was good for our confidence and showed we are on the right track. We produced some good football.” Colombia coach Francisco ‘Pacho’ Maturana had no excuses. “We did our best but Brazil deserved to win. They’re a little above everybody when they play like that,” he said.

Uruguay, eliminated in the first round in Asia last year, thrashed Bolivia 5-0 in Montevideo on Sunday. “We played as I wanted us to, as the fans yearned for us to play and as the players wanted to play. I am delighted with the team,” said new Uruguay coach Juan Ramon Carrasco.

Manchester United striker Diego Forlan found the net first in front of 42,000 spectators before Italy-based striker Javier Chevanton scored twice and substitute Nelson Abeijon and Carlos Bueno completed a dominating performance.

The qualifiers continue today when Venezuela host Argentina and Chile face Peru. Tomorrow, Brazil host Ecuador, Paraguay are at home to Uruguay and Bolivia play Colombia. The qualifiers see 10 South American teams playing home and away games for four automatic slots in the Germany finals with the fifth-placed team going on to a playoff.

UEFA Calls for Report Into Bribery Allegations UEFA has called for a special report into bribery allegations surrounding Saturday’s Armenia-Greece European championship qualifier. Mike Lee, UEFA’s director of communications, told Reuters on Monday: “We have asked the match delegate for a supplementary report, although at this stage there is no formal investigation into the matter.

“We will have the report in the next 24 hours and will decide what action to take next based on what is in the report from the match delegate.”

Greece have denied any suggestion that they offered to bribe Armenia to lose the Group Six game, which Greece won 1-0 to move within striking distance of automatic qualification for next year’s finals in Portugal. “It seems the performances of the national squad have caused problems to many who didn’t expect it,” the Greek FA said in a statement. “Greece played fair and won.”