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.