Australia warmed up for their final round of World Cup qualifiers in style yesterday by stunning the Netherlands 2-1 in a friendly international.

The Socceroos, who face a tricky trip to Uzbekistan on Wednesday in their opening game of the deciding Asian qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup, fell behind to a sixth-minute volley from Klas-Jan Huntelaar.

But Harry Kewell levelled on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after the Dutch had seen goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg red-carded.

Australia made sure of victory when Josh Kennedy hit the winner in the 76th minute.

The defeat was a setback for the Dutch and their new coach Bert van Marwijk, who succeeded Marco van Basten, ahead of their first Group qualifier against Macedonia in Skopje on Wednesday.

Australia, meanwhile, will be wary of an Uzbekistan backlash after they lost their opening qualifier 3-0 to Qatar in Doha on Saturday.

AFP

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