World champions France are set to ring the changes in their bid to remain in the Confederations Cup after ashock defeat to Australia, and thwart South Korea's hopes of progress.
French coach Roger Lemerre has said that failure to make the semi-finals would be a severe blow to their preparations for next year's World Cupfinals in South Korea and Japan.
Five players made their international debut against Australia on Friday but Lemerre is likely to opt for a more experienced line-up against theMexicans on Sunday.
Mexico, the current holders, are resigned to catching an early flight home after their defeats against the competition's surprise package Australiaand the much-improved Koreans.
Lemerre said that the defeat had left the world's number one team in limbo after they were widely expected to brush aside a team rated only 68.
"The defeat is going to make us rethink our plans for Sunday," Lemerre said.
"It was a personal disappointment and for all the players. The defeat is even more disappointing for us as the Confederations Cup is a launch padfor 2002."
Bastia striker Frederic Nee was among those winning their first cap, but his combination with Arsenal's Sylvain Wiltord failed to ignite.
Paris St Germain's gifted but temperamental centre-forward Nicolas Anelka, who scored in the 5-0 opening day victory over South Korea, mayreturn to the starting line-up. They could also do with return of the combative Patrick Vieira.
Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf, who captained the French on Friday, is suspended after being sent off.
If the French fail to polish off a demoralised Mexican team, it could open the door for the South Koreans to pip them for a place in the semi-finals.
Their experienced Dutch coach Guus Hiddink was delighted by his team's performance as they deservedly secured a 2-1 victory over the Mexicanson Friday thanks to a last-minute header by the outstanding Yoo Sang Chul.
Hiddink had called for his team to toughen up after their defeat against France and his players responded, with Yoo playing the entire second halfwith a broken nose.
But they will still need to improve their finishing, the narrow margin of victory disguising their dominance of the Mexicans.
"They improved a lot since the first match. It was a lot better in two days," said Hiddink.
The Koreans should benefit from Australia's early progress into the next round, with the Socceroos' boss Frank Farina indicating that he will resttwo or three players on Sunday when they take on Korea in Suwon, near Seoul.
Mexican coach Enrique Meza has said that his team must learn lessons from their poor performances here if they are to make next year's WorldCup.
"We have to continue to work and draw conclusions from what happened to us here," he said.
AFP