Ecuador's players stretch during a soccer training session at Joao Havelange Stadium in Rio de Janeiro yesterday. Ecuador will play against Brazil in their World Cup 2010 qualifying match in Rio, tomorrow. - reuters

rio de janeiro (reuters)

Neighbours, Chile and Peru, will be looking to score their first goals of the South American World Cup qualifying campaign when they renew their old rivalry tomorrow.

Matches between the pair carry an extra edge because of long-standing economic and territorial rivalry, and Peru's visit has been declared a high-risk game by the Santiago city government.

Chile defeated Peru in the 1879-1883 War of the Pacific and seized a chunk of mineral-rich territory from its northern neighbour.

Although the two countries have strong economic ties, relations are still rocky and a dispute over their sea border has bubbled anew over the last two years.

Authorities will draft in 600 police and 500 private security officials for the game at the National Stadium.

Generating no war

"We know that here we are not generating any type of war between nations nor the concept of Chilean and anti-Chilean ... we are just taking the necessary measures so that the game can be played normally," said Leonardo Aracena, the city government's head of public order. Both teams needs a good result.

Chile were beaten 2-0 on Saturday in Argentina, while Peru, who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1982, were held to a goalless draw at home by Paraguay.

Seven of South America's 10 sides will be trying to score their first goals of the campaign in this week's games, the second of the 18 rounds in the tournament.

Argentina, Venezuela and Uruguay were the only teams which managed to find the target in the opening matches at the weekend and only Uruguay, 5-0 winners over Bolivia, managed to score in open play.

Argentina face Venezuela in Maracaibo, today.

While Argentina beat Chile, thanks to an inspired performance from Juan Roman Riquelme, Venezuela, the only team in the region which has never played at the World Cup, won 1-0 away to Ecuador.

Brazil, which will be playing their first home game for two years and their first at the Maracana for seven, host Ecuador in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, knowing they must do better than on Sunday, when they drew 0-0 in Colombia.

Sunday's game in Bogota was labelled dull by the Brazilian media. Coach Dunga's team blamed a combination of travel-weariness, high altitude and a heavy pitch for the result, but will be expected put on a better show at home.

Colombia travel to La Paz at 3,600 metres above sea level to face a Bolivia team still reeling from their mauling in Montevideo, while Uruguay visit Paraguay in Asuncion, both on Wednesday.