LIMA, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Paraguay began their attempt to qualify for a fourth successive World Cup by holding Peru to a 0-0 draw away from home on Saturday.

A fast and furious World Cup qualifier produced plenty of

openings with Paraguay missing a flurry of chances on the break

late in the game.

Juan Vargas wasted an early opportunity for Peru, who last

played at the World Cup in 1982, when he fired over after

Claudio Pizarro had pulled the ball back.

But Paraguay had the best chance of the first half when

Salvador Cabanas escaped his marker at a free kick but volleyed

over from six metres.

The game produced a succession of chances around the hour

mark.

Vargas nearly gave Peru the lead when he met Nolberto

Solano's crossfield pass with a full-blooded volley which

struck the far post.

Paraguay replied by forcing two good saves from Leao

Butron, the first from a fierce Cabanas drive and the second to

deny Nelson Haedo Valdez after he broke clear of the Peru

defence.

As Peru poured forward, Paraguay became more dangerous on

the counter attack.

Substitute Oscar Cardozo wasted two chances, on both

occasions breaking down the left but sending his shot across

the face of Butron's goal.

Enrique Vera also squandered a chance when he broke down

the right but shot over instead of passing to the unmarked

Jorge Achucarro.

Peru were again saved deep into stoppage-time when Cristian

Benitez's goalbound shot was inadvertently blocked by one of

his own team mates on the line.