Chile stay on course despite home draw with Venezuela

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Rodrigo Millar rescued a point for Chile as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Venezuela in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Despite the result, Chile remained on course for their first World Cup since 1998 as they stayed second in the 10-team South American group, ahead of Paraguay on goal difference.

The Chileans have 27 points from 15 games and are seven clear of fifth place with three matches to play. The top four in the 10-team group qualify directly for South Africa and the fifth plays off against the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF.

Venezuela, who have never played at a World Cup, are eighth with 18 points, two behind fifth-placed Colombia, and still with an outside chance.

Chile got the perfect start when Arturo Vidal headed home after 11 minutes from a corner, the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder's first goal for his country.

The visitors levelled in the 34th minute, Juan Arango pouncing on a mistake by the Chile defence and finding Giancarlo Maldonado, who scored with a shot between goalkeeper Claudio Bravo's legs.

Jose Manuel Rey then put Venezuela ahead on the stroke of halftime when he scored with a free kick for the second qualifier in a row.

Midfielder Millar equalised eight minutes after the re-start, scoring his first international goal after a series of rebounds in the area.