Netherlands v. Mexico 2-1 26/May/10

Kuyt congratulates van Persie
[Photo: EPA via Telegraph]


It only took Robin van Persie two out of four chances to finish the match in the rainy Badenova Stadion last Wednesday night. The so-called Mexican European tour progressed in another disgraceful evening and while those moments of truly genial manufacture against England seemed present there was no way the Mexican team could have been spared from a half-oiled Dutch machinery.

The poor start, paired with the awful weather, gave the Dutch players certain advantage that last for the whole night, as the Arsenal striker secured a brace after some comical defending. Nevertheless the drought was ended by Hernández, who continues to impress both here in his land and abroad. The Dutch striker was "pleased", according to Goal.com; no one could think otherwise as his efforts (particularly the second) were truly marvelous.

The next stop is near Bayern, where Mexico will fight their Gambian (is that the genitive?) counterpart. By the way, Arsenal.com published the related story featuring their two strikers, just in case.



Van Persie scores his second of the night.
[Photo: Getty Images via Soccernet]


As early as the fifteenth minute, the Dutchmen produced at least, three clear chances, an offside, and a sitter wasted by van Persie as well as some woodwork from part of van der Vaart. It took less than two minutes after that to see the first goal by the team that was acting as "home": the Arsenal striker found himself free of mark - after some comical covering from Torres Nilo - just to push the ball in the back of the net. Ochoa and his defensive stratagem were ousted by a simple assistance from the captain van der Vaart.

Then, the Mexican managed to stabilise the game for at least some minutes, but again failed to impress as they lost possession and concentration. Over and over De Zeuuw regained the ball in nearly all his battles with the Mexican midfield. With the current agenda there was not a real threat from the North American team. Instead Afellay delivered one beautiful thirty-meter assistance to find a lonesome van Persie. The Gunner delivered all his class in a single well-executed volley to find the back of the net. With the second half under way, the team was two-goals behind.


With certain particular slow tempo, the remaining half began and the Dutch torrent started all over again, when the Liverpool striker missed a clear chance that would have put the final nail in the match. Instead with the passing minutes, the Mexican grew in confidence and assured some possession before entering into an attacking position. With the inclusion of Barrera this seemed seemingly planed as he provided speed and danger, with the most prominent attempts in the 58th minute.

It was probably due to the Dutch substitutions, particularly the dreadful display by Engelaar, which dropped the performance of the Europeans. Giovani made some runs, and nearly the Mexicans opened their score as both Vela and Hernández missed the dangerous cross from the Galatasaray striker. Six minute later in the 73rd, Giovani set Torres Nilo who crossed to Hernández who headed past Stekelenburg. Another row of chances came, one fearless shot from Giovani in a run and two set pieces: one by him and the other by Vela. With the high-spirited Mexican attack the match ended with another grasping match.