Two goals in the final minute saw USA come from behind to beat Netherlands 4-3 in a friendly match in the Amsterdam Arena.

hunt usa nedIn preparation for the must win Euro qualifier against Latvia next Friday Netherlands were looking to continue the good form they showed in the 2-0 win over Spain in March, and seemed to be heading for an easy victory when Klaas Jan Huntelaar’s strike hit Memphis Depay and flew into the net to and the Dutch 3-1 up in the second half. However a defensive collapse in the final twenty minutes saw USA come from behind to earn their first ever win over Netherlands, and pile the pressure on coach Guus Hiddink.

The first half started at a fast pace with both sides creating chances as Daryl Janmaat and Georginio Wijnaldum tested Brad Guzan, while at the other end Gyasi Zardes shot straight at Jasper Cillessen and Michael Bradley struck the post with a strike from the edge of the box.

Depay was behind all Netherlands positive play in the early stages, and the Manchester United bound winger provided an excellent cross on 26 minutes for Klaas jan Huntelaar to head in his 40th international goal, and put the home side ahead.

Straight after the goal Robin van Persie fired wide from a good position, and minutes later a Fabian Johnson cross found Zardes at the back post and the forward poked the ball past Cillessen to make it 1-1. Just before the break Georginio Wijnaldum thought he had given Netherlands the lead again, but his goal was chalked off for a foul in the build up.

Hiddink rung the changes at the break with Luciano Narsingh and Gregory van der Wiel entering the pitch and minutes into the second half the latter put in an excellent cross for Huntelaar to head Netherlands back in front.  The USA then had a goal ruled out before Huntelaar fired a shot into Depay, which looped into the net off the post to make it 3-1 on 52 minutes.

Guzan made a great save to deny Wijnaldum from close range, and on 70 minutes the Americans got themselves back into the game after a swift counter ended with John Brooks firing in DeAndre Yedlin’s cross.

Fabian Johnson’s attempted clearance from substitute Luuk de Jong struck the post as Netherlands threatened a fourth, but two crazy minutes before the end saw USA come out victorious. Firstly Danny Williams fired USA level in the 89th minute, and from the restart De Jong smacked a shot off the bar which started a counter attack from the away side which ended with Bobby Wood scoring.

Its another embarrassing defeat under Guus Hiddink and increases the pressure hugely before the trip to Riga next week in a crucial tie. Defensively Netherlands were all over the place, and if the unthinkable happens and the Oranje fail to beat Latvia next week then surely Hiddink’s second spell in charge is over.




admin (14220 Posts)

Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter