Javier Hernandez scored the winning goal in the 69th minute to lift
Mexico to a 2-1 victory over North Korea in an international
friendly Wednesday.
Cuauhtemoc Blanco gave Mexico a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute,
scoring on a perfectly directed, 20-meter (yard) free kick in the
match between two teams headed to this year's World Cup.
North Korea equalized in the 57th when Choe Kum Chol scored
from a left-footed, bouncing shot that was poorly played by Mexico
keeper Guillermo Ochoa.
Mexico used the match to try out uncapped players with Blanco
and goalkeeper Ochoa among only a handful of players for Mexico
sure of inclusion in the World Cup squad.
The victory was the third for Mexico in friendlies this year,
going with a 5-0 win over Bolivia and a 2-0 win over World
Cup-bound New Zealand.
Hernandez, who plays for Guadalajara Chivas, has been scoring
for his club team and also notched a goal in the victory over New
Zealand. His ability to put the ball in the net may assure him a
play on the team for South Africa.
Mexico has an extensive schedule of friendlies heading into
the World Cup.
The next match is Wednesday (March 24) against Iceland at
Charlotte, North Carolina. Three more matches are set to be held in
the United States, where millions of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans
live - May 7 in East Rutherford, New Jersey vs. Ecuador, May 10 in
Chicago vs. Senegal and May 13 in Houston vs. Angola.
Mexico is home to Chile on May 16 at the 100,000-seat Azteca
Stadium before heading to Europe for several more matches, opening
with England on May 24 at Wembley Stadium.
Mexico is drawn in Group A at the World Cup with South
Africa, France and Uruguay.
North Korea, playing in only its second World Cup and its
first since reaching the quarterfinals in 1966, is in Group G,
which many regard the toughest headed by five-time champion Brazil,
Portugal and Ivory Coast.
Lineups:
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa, Oscar Rojas (Jose Antonio Castro
46), Jonny Magallon, Juan Valenzuela, Jorge Torres, Patricio Araujo
(Angel Reyna 46), Jonathan Dos Santos, Braulio Luna, Alberto Medina
(Daniel Arreola 83), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Miguel Sabah 54), Javier
Hernandez (Jesus Molina 83).
North Korea: Ri Myong Guk, Ri Kwang Chon, Pak Nam Chol (Ri
Kwang Hyok 80), Ri Jun Il, Cha Jong Hyok (Nam Song Chol 62), Ji Yun
Nam, Mun In Guk, Kim Yong Jun, Pak Chol Jin, An Chol Hyok, Choe Kum
Chol.
