Mexico's Gonzalo Pineda (left), Francisco Fonseca (second left), Guillermo Franco (second right), Jared Borgetti (right) try to block a free kick during their international friendly against the Netherlands in Eindhoven yesterday. The Dutch won 2-1. - REUTERS
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP):
A BACK-UP Dutch team came from behind to beat Mexico 2-1 yesterday in a warm-up between two teams expected to reach at least the second round of the World Cup.
After Mexico striker Jared Borgetti struck in the first half, John Heitinga and Ryan Babel scored in the second half.
"We can be very positive about the squad, which proved it has strength and depth," said Dutch coach Marco van Basten.
ERRORS
The Dutch experimental defence committed an elementary error in the 19th minute, leaving expert header Borgetti unmarked in the centre on a corner, and the Bolton Wanderers' forward headed home the easiest of goals.
In an almost identical move in the 52nd, Ajax defender Heitinga rushed through Mexico's defence unmarked on a corner from Wesley Sneijder to head home the equaliser.
Five minutes later, captain Dirk Kuyt spotted another hole in the Mexican defence and found Babel on his own. The Ajax striker gave the Dutch the victory with an angled half volley.
Van Basten fielded a predominantly B lineup and a third-string goalie. In defence, only Liverpool rightback Jan Kromkamp kept his place.
In midfield, Sneijder was again the replacement for the injured Rafael van der Vaart and had another fine game. Arsenal right winger Robin van Persie was again allowed to shine up front but was replaced at halftime.
"We fielded both lineups and it left me with a good feeling," van Basten said.
Mexico fielded their top lineup for the first half only, then made six replacements.
Considering both teams could well face each other in the second round, it was clear van Basten did not want to give away too many clues.
The Netherlands beat Cameroon 1-0 last Saturday with their best line-up. They will play Australia in their last warm-up on Sunday. Mexico narrowly lost to France 1-0 over the weekend.
Meanwhile in Oslo, World Cup-bound South Korea were held by non-qualifiers Norway to a 0-0 draw in another warm-up match.
It was a disappointing outing for coach Dick Advocaat's South Koreans, who didn't create their first scoring chance until the 70th minute when Baek Ji-hoon shot just wide after a cross from Kim Don-jing.
Norway, who drew with another World Cup-bound team, Paraguay, last week in Oslo, dominated throughout but failed to capitalise on their chances.
John Carew had a handful of opportunities but the tall Lyon striker couldn't finish them off.
Fredrik Stromstad set up Carew for Norway's first chance in the 29th minute. After taking the long pass, Carew shot just over the crossbar from 20 metres.
Another long pass by Stromstad led to Norway's best chance in the 37th. Tommy Svindal Larsen volleyed just wide.
South Korea, 2002 World Cup semi-finalists, open their Cup campaign on June 13 against Togo in Group G, which also includes 1998 champions France and Switzerland. South Korea are contesting their sixth successive World Cup.
Norway did not qualify for the Cup, losing to the Czech Republic in a playoff. Norway last reached the finals in 1998, advancing to the second round.
