ASUNCION, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Paraguay scored twice in the first half to beat toothless Venezuela 2-0 in a World Cup

qualifier on Tuesday and stay top of the South American group.

Cristian Riveros and Nelson Haedo Valdez scored the goals

after poor defending by the visitors, who were equally

ineffective in attack as they failed to muster a single shot to

test Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Paraguay, who have a 100 percent record from their four

home games, top the 10-team group with 17 points and will

complete the eighth round of matches in first position

regardless of the outcome of the four games to be played

Wednesday.

Paraguay, who have qualified for the last three World Cups,

are five points clear of Brazil, who host Bolivia, and

Argentina, who visit Peru.

Riveros stabbed the ball in from close range after 28

minutes when he was quick to react after Claudio Morel

Rodriguez's low pass into the area deflected off a Venezuela

defender.

Paraguay's second goal came when Julio Manzur's long

clearance out of defence was headed on by Roque Santa Cruz into

the path of the unmarked Haedo Valdez, who placed his shot

under Renny Vega.

Venezuela, the only South American team never to have

played at a World Cup, remained on seven points after their

third successive defeat.