6/2/2006
Houston Chronicle

Heitinga, Babel propel Dutch to 2-1 exhibition win

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – The Netherlands overcame Jared Borgetti's first-half goal to beat Mexico 2-1 on Thursday night in an exhibition game between teams expected to reach the second round of the World Cup.

Faced with the possibility the teams could meet in the second round, Dutch coach Marco van Basten fielded a lineup filled with backup players and a third-string goalie. Mexico fielded its top lineup for the first half, then made six replacements.

Borgetti was left unmarked on a corner kick in the 19th minute and beat goalkeeper Henk Timmer with a header.

Defender John Heitinga tied the score when he headed Wesley Sneijder's corner kick in the 52nd minute past goalkeeper Osvaldo Sanchez. Ryan Babel scored off a pass from Dirk Kuyt five minutes later.

The Dutch, who beat Cameroon 1-0 last Saturday, will use their top lineup against Australia in their last warmup on Sunday, then open the World Cup against Serbia-Montenegro on June 11. Ivory Coast and Argentina also are in the group.

Mexico lost 1-0 at France last weekend. Its World Cup group includes Portugal, Iran and Angola.