Soccer-Goal-shy Colombia make wholesale changes

BOGOTA, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Colombia's new coach Eduardo Lara has announced seven changes to the side for Saturday's World Cup qualifier at home to South American group leaders Paraguay.

Lara has replaced Jorge Luis Pinto, sacked after last month's 4-0 defeat by Chile, and his first task is to end his team's chronic scoring problem.

Colombia have managed only four goals in eight qualifiers, three of which have been goalless draws.

Lara said Freddy Montero, 21 and topscorer in the Colombian championship with 11 goals for Deportivo Cali, would form the new striking partnership alongside Portugal-based Wason Renteria.

Experienced defender Mario Yepes, dropped by Pinto after last year's Copa America, returns to the side as captain. Midfielders Gerardo Bedoya and Fabian Vargas have also been recalled.

Players who keep their places include goalkeeper Agustin Julio and playmaker Giovanni Hernandez.

"I've always said that we were going to need men of experience," said Vargas.

"The previous group had very good players, but they lacked a bit of experience especially for the difficult moments and the pressure we are under now."

Colombia, who last qualified for the World Cup in 1998, are sixth in the 10-team South American group with 10 points from eight games.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, writing by Brian Homewood in Buenos Aires; editing by Miles Evans)