Buffel was pushing forward at every opportunity to assist the forward partnership of Nacho Novo and Dado Prso, but the home side were unable to create any early chances despite the Belgian's promptings.
This year, inspired by Pedro Quiñónez and the back of midfield and the forward partnership of the 21-year-old Marlon de Jesús and the Argentinian Marcos Mondaini, they have made it through again, securing qualification above Penarol with a goalless draw away to Vélez Sársfield, who topped the group.
Palermo striker Lafferty, so long a first-choice pick for his country, may find it hard to dislodge either Martin Paterson, the goalscorer against Fabio Capello's Russia, or Jamie Ward after both men impressed in a new-look forward partnership.
However, by 16:45, Peter Houston's men were just grateful to have a share of the spoils after trailing twice in the match to a side who are having to make do without last season's 40-goal forward partnership of Kane Hemmings and Greg Stewart.
With the forward partnership of Irvine and Kit Napier, Brighton performed better than expected in the 1971 72 season.
The formidable forward partnership between Teófilo Cubillas and Hugo Sotil has been cited as a key factor in Peru's success during the 1970s.
This was partly due to manager Osvaldo Bagnoli's inability to find a stable forward partnership, preferring Bergkamp in a three with Uruguayan Rubén Sosa and Italian Salvatore Schillaci.
Peruvian football's successful period in the 1970s brought it worldwide recognition; the team then included the formidable forward partnership of Hugo Sotil and Teófilo Cubillas, often regarded as Peru's greatest player, and defender Héctor Chumpitaz.
2 Giovanni Ferrari Ferrari was the perfect foil for star player Giuseppe Meazza – who scored both Italy's goals – forming a creative inside-forward partnership.
With O'Brien again sidelined this term, the dogged Ulsterman was in line to continue his blossoming loose-forward partnership with Jamie Heaslip and Peter O'Mahony.
