The Netherlands national team crisis continued on Wednesday night as they were beaten 3-2 by Mexico at the Amsterdam Arena.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
After three defeats in the last four games, Netherlands went into the match under severe pressure from fans and the media to put in a performance ahead of the crucial Eruo 2016 qualifier against Latvia on Sunday.
Coach Guus Hiddink named a completely different backline from the team that started the defeat to Iceland last month, but after only eight minutes the new look defence was already beaten with Carlos Vela sending a stunning strike into the top corner from 25 yards. Hiddink was then forced into an early change as Ron Vlaar, making his first Netherlands appearance since the World Cup, picked up an injury and was forced off, with Stefan De Vrij coming in.
Netherlands woke up as the half wore on, but they squandered several chances before the break, with Robben seeing a shot blocked from point blank range, and Memphis Depay looping an effort onto the roof of the net. The biggest chances however fell to Klaas jan Huntelaar, who started up front in the absence of Robin van Persie, with the Schalke star heading several times straight at Ochoa in the Mexico goal, while he also fired wide from a metre out after being left alone at the back post following a corner.
Four minutes into the second half Netherlands were finally level as Wesley Sneijder smashed a half volley into the top corner from just outside the box.
The goal saw Netherlands take control, but Mexico were dangerous on the counter attack, and on 62 minutes after Daley Blind lost the ball in midfield, Twente winger Jesus Corona sent Vela free on the left hand side of the box and his shot was too strong for Tim Krul. Seven minutes later it was 3-1 as Javier Hernandez beat a poor offside trap before rounding Krul and slotting into the empty net.
Daley Blind gave Netherlands hope with 15 minutes left as his strike from distance took a deflection before beating Ochoa, but there would be no equaliser as both Quincy Promes and Georginio Wijnaldum missed guilt edged chances late on.
A few days of criticism now lie ahead for Hiddink’s side as they head into the crucial match against Latvia. A huge improvement is needed from everyone involved, and even if Netherlands beat the lowly Latvia on Sunday, the KNVB need to take a serious look at Hiddink’s coaching set up.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
Mexico’s Revenge
It is unbelievable what is happen with the dutch either something wrong between players or immediately change the coach . it is not acceptable anymore.
lol…winning a meaningless exhibition game is “revenge” to you? That’s great. You stick to winning games that don’t matter and the Dutch will stick to winning games that do.
“You stick to winning games that don’t matter and the Dutch will stick to winning games that do.”
You see how ironic that last point is considering they’ve already lost 2 out of 3 qualifiers & look mighty capable of losing the 4th one, right? Please tell me you see it.
Mexico’s Revenge? only a mexican would get excited over a friendly. the best of mexico could only beat the worst of holland 3-2. same tactics and style from mexico as usual.
least they wont blame the referee this time
And the best of Holland couldn’t beat Iceland or Czech Republic? You guys talking about winning games that matter I guess those 2 games were irrelevant then.
Who Said it was the best of Holland playing against Iceland and Czech Republic?
Same tactics? Best Mexico? You’re obviously not sharp enough to figure out Herrera changed his lineup from a 3-5-2 in the WC to a 4-4-2. Vela instantly added another dimension to the attack, exploiting multiple angles that weren’t there before. Mexico were missing key players on defense and Herrera played guys you didn’t see at the WC. I guarantee you the Dutch wanted it as bad if not more due to the 11 game home winning streak that Mexico just snapped, and the pressure on their backs. Maybe you guys need to see the bottom for a while, it might help with the big head syndrome.
Tbh, good point! 🙁
Thats why LVG played 5 3 2.without strootman and de jong the defense gives no guarantees at all and an experienced coach like hiddink should have figured it out since the first game.willems and depay were the weak links and never raised to what every dutch fan expects from them.i like wijnaldum but his problem is that he misses a lot of chances in front of goal.but im glad to see sneijder back to his best.in the coming games i would like to see van aanholt and van dijk.
Team has ZERO focus under Guus. LVG demanded accountability and reliability. From what I see Guus assumes too much. The Dutch have to defend as a whole unit they are too weak defensively and need to defend in numbers and counter. Sorry but they are not developing and so must play a different style. They could have easily won this game by 3 or 4 goals but couldn’t finish. They have no focus on attack or on defending, its not talent its commitment and determination which is not a skill but a mindset. The talent is there but the coaching is NOT.