Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela was the difference as Mexico beat the Netherlands 3-2 on Wednesday. Vela, who was playing in his first game for Mexico since March 2011, scored twice duringthe win in Amsterdam, his first international goals since June 2010. The former Arsenal player had been reluctant to rejoin the Mexican national team after he was suspended and fined for off-the-fieldactivities in 2010, eventually rejecting several call-ups.
After the game, Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink criticized his defenders for a series of errors that lead to Mexico’sgoals. The Dutch have now lost four of their last five games since finishing third at the World Cup.
“You have to learn very fast that you can’t do this at international level,” Hiddink saidof his team’s defensive lapses. “You must not make these mistakes internationally. We have trouble defending. It all went in fits and starts. On that first goal, everyone was too remote. We did notdive into the game. Then a series of errors followed.”
The Netherlands defense was dealt an added blow when Aston Villa center back Ron Vlaar limped off the field in the 24th-minute,replaced by Stefan de Vrij.