Two goals in the final minute saw USA come from behind to beat Netherlands 4-3 in a friendly match in the Amsterdam Arena.
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In 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.
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Sad. Just sad. yes it was just a friendly and means little in the grand scheme. But wow that was sad. I am a proud American, but we shouldn’t ever be in a match with the Orange. The D was terrible and there was little from the midfield. The wings and strikers were great, which is encouraging. We have to get healthy and maybe more important: focused for next week.
Martins India and Bruma….what an abysmal center-half pairing. And Blind has no pace at LB, Yedlin beat him several times. Hopefully Willems is ready next week but this match showed that Oranje have no depth at defense – at all.
Yes agree… partly. I dont get why LVG and now Hiddink are persisting with BMI. it must surely be getting to statement of fact that Oranje will never win anything while he’s in the backline, whether it be CB or LB.
The best combination needs to be worked out and selecting BMI is holding the process back.
Whether its REkik and SDV or SDV and Bruma or SDV and Veltman or Kongolo and SDV they need to start workiong on that now.
As much as I admire Vlaar he’ll be 34 at next WC and if no one has stepped up in that time we’ll be most likely in trouble; in the same position we are now.
Jetro must be given the matches to see if he can establish himself and understand his defensive priorities. He is a no brainer for me and will provide a good foil for Depay when needed.
Blind will not cut it at LB against the best right wingers in the world and should no be considered there for the national team. He should only be looked at in the DM role in which he’ll have to compete with the likes of JC, KS, GW, WS, NDJ and others.
And on GW, he should be given a chance a no.10.
We have yet to see a 6,8,10 of Strootman, Clasie and GW; and with Robben/Janmaat and Depay/Willems out wide we have the quality and shape to take on anyone and dominate.
Personally I’d give Wes a go up front in that team, in a false nine role given the pace and ability of GW to play direct.
Guus Hiddink has to go. This team has no commitment to working hard to play. RVN needs to go too. Who is working with the backline. People may hate LVG but at least he knows and DEMANDS his team works hard. Bad luck can happen but laziness and lack of focus is unacceptable. This is the same squad w/o Robben and at the WC Holland allowed 1 goal from open play and did not lose. Their record under Hiddink is abysmal. I like Guus but its obvious he does not have the mental fortitude to demand 100% effort no matter who the opponent. The USA was playing some college players. I wish Frank De Boer was willing to take the job as he like LVG would not tolerate laziness and focus which is the real problem. Pathetic display. They still have the talent but mentally they are LOST. Hiddink must go NOW… They do not play as a team and have no clue on how defend… Unbelievable…
Guus Hiddink is the worst Dutch manager in a generation — and that is being generous. His passport should be revoked and he should be sent be to Korea where he is respected. Guus took at team that placed THIRD in the World Cup Final to one that can barely win against anyone. He should have been first last year.
*fired last year