Worldcup 1998 : Friendly - Mexico 2 / Netherlands 3 , February 24, 1998.

MEXICO 2 / NETHERLANDS 3, February 24, 1998.

Netherlands downs depleted Mexico in friendly

MIAMI, February 24, 1998 (Reuters).

A three-goal salvo in three minutes gave the Netherlands a 3-2 victory over Mexico at Miami's Pro Player stadium Tuesday in a friendly preview of their upcoming Group E clash in the 1998 World Cup.

The Dutch, who beat the United States 2-0 at the same venue Saturday, took the lead when Patrick Kluivert knocked home a right-foot shot from inside the penalty area in the 17th minute.

Kluivert, back from injury, struck again two minutes later after some sharp interplay with Clarence Seedorf and Wim Jonk, who blasted a 25-yard drive into the net a minute after that to make it 3-0.

Mexican manager Manuel Lapuente, starting out with regulars such as defender Duilio Davino and forwards Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Francisco Palencia on the bench, fielded a less-experienced team, but brought on Blanco and Palencia to help his side fight back.

In the 65th minute Manuel Abundis chested down a cross for Palencia to drive the ball low into the net.

Alberto Garcia Aspe, who was booked in the 41st minute, made it 3-2 with a penalty kick after Blanco was brought down in the area by Ernst Faber.

Aron Winter of the Netherlands was also booked in the 47th minute.

Netherlands:
Ed de Goey; Aron Winter, Winston Bogarde (Ernest Faber, 58), Frank de Boer (captain), Arthur Numan; Win Jonk (Michael Reizinger, 46), Ronald de Boer (Marc Overmars, 46); Michael Mols (Pierre van Hoodijdonk, 46), Clarence Seedorf; Philip Cocu, Patrick Kluivert (Boudewjin Zenden, 74).
Mexico:
Ricardo Martinez; Isaac Terrazas, Hector Lopez, Sigifredo Mercado (Noe Zarate, 62), Francisco Gabriel de Anda; German Villa, Marcelino Bernal (captain) (Francisco Palencia, 62), Alberto Garcia Aspe, Javier Lozano (Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 43); Enrique Alfaro, Manuel Abundis.