Soccer-South American roundup-Mixed fortunes for Bogota rivals

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Independiente Santa Fe consolidated their lead in Colombia's Clausura championship while their Bogota arch-rivals Millonarios sunk closer to relegation at the weekend.

While half the leagues in South America had the weekend off due to national team friendlies, Universidad de Chile caught Colo Colo at the top of the Chilean championship by winning their game in hand against Cobresal.

COLOMBIA

Big Bogota rivals Independiente Santa Fe and Millonarios could not be much further apart.

Santa Fe, who beat Deportes Tolima 2-1, lead the Clausura championship by two points from Atletico Huila after eight matches.

Once great Millonarios are on the edge of the relegation zone after a poor performance in a 2-1 home defeat by Huila with their ashamed Venezuelan coach Richard Paez saying: "It hurts me for the fans the way the team played today."

There were two hat-tricks in Deportivo Cali's 5-3 win over Once Caldas.

Striker Fernando Uribe scored three for Caldas as they pulled level from 3-1 down, hitting his third on the hour.

Argentine midfielder Martin Morel, who had scored his first in the 15th minute, hit two more in the last 20, completing his hat-trick with a dipping volley from the edge of the box.

Deportivo Pereira, who on Friday had threatened to strike over unpaid salaries, drew 0-0 at home to Cortulua.

CHILE

Title holders Universidad de Chile won 2-1 away to Cobresal in the only match of the weekend and overtook Colo Colo at the top of the table on goals scored.

The U's goals were scored by strikers Gabriel Vargas and Argentine Diego Rivarola in the match played at El Cobre stadium in El Salvador, a mining settlement 2,300 metres above sea level in the northern Atacama desert region.

After 22 rounds, Universidad de Chile and Colo Colo have 48 points and Universidad Catolica 46.

URUGUAY

Fenix rose from two goals down to draw 2-2 with champions Penarol, who were playing their first match of the league season.

Penarol's arch-rivals Nacional, with former River Plate, Monaco and Argentina midfielder Marcelo Gallardo making his debut, could manage a 1-1 draw only with promoted El Tanque Sisley.

Danubio, who beat Miramar Misiones 2-1, and Sisley share the lead with seven points each after three matches.

PARAGUAY

Title holders Guarani ended a run of three matches without victory beating 3 de Febrero 2-1 after which the losing side's coach Raul Amarilla, the former Real Zaragoza and Olimpia striker voted South American Player of the Year in 1990, resigned.

Cerro Porteno beat Libertad 2-1 away to join them on 18 points from eight matches at the top of the Clausura although Libertad have the better goal difference. Guarani are third with 14 points.

BOLIVIA

Blooming clung to top spot in the Clausura despite a 0-0 draw away to Guabira. After seven matches, Blooming are one point ahead of The Strongest, who beat Apertura title holders Wilstermann 2-1, Bolivar and Real Potosi.

(Additional reporting by Claudio Cerda in Santiago)

(Editing by John Mehaffey; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)