Feb. 24, 2000 SportsLine wire reports

SAN DIEGO -- Colombia took advantage of two major defensive lapses, including Marcial Salazar's own goal, to beat Peru 2-1 on Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Gold Cup.

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	T O P   N E W S

The own goal by Salazar late in the first half gave Colombia a 1-0 lead. The Colombians scored again early in the second half when Victor Bonilla walked in for an uncontested goal after a pass by Peru defender Juan Reynoso slipped through the hands of goaltender Oscar Ibanez.

Colombia advances to Sunday's final in Los Angeles against the winner of Thursday night's semifinal match between Canada and Trinidad & Tobago.

The South American teams battled through a first half where that had few scoring chances. The tone of the match changed, however, when Colombia's Arley Dinas headed a corner kick toward Ibanez.

Before the goaltender could make a play, Salazar stuck his left leg out in an attempt to deflect the ball. Instead, the ball sliced off the defender's leg into the goal in the 39th minute.

Another defensive mistake by Peru proved costly in the 53rd minute when Reynoso chested a ball back toward Ibanez. The Peruvian goalie, who was moving toward the ball, let it slide through his hands. Bonilla took the ball and easily scored what proved to be the game-winner.

Peru's only goal came on Roberto Palacios' kick into the high left corner in the 75th minute.