Klaas-Jan Huntelaar boots wide-open goal, jersey number falls off
Wednesday's international friendly between the Netherlands and Mexico wasn't the greatest time for Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. For starters, the No. 9 fell off the back of his jersey. Sure, it happens. But it's usually pretty funny.
Secondly, and more significantly for the Netherlands, Huntelaar booted a gift-wrapped goal in a match they ended up losing 3-2. This came in the closing minutes of the first half:
Perhaps this was all karma for Huntelaar taking advantage of the oft-questioned penalty call late in the Netherlands-Mexico Round of 16 World cup meeting. With extra time seeming likely, Rafa Marquez was called for a penalty on Arjen Robben. Huntelaar nailed the penalty kick, Netherlands advanced to the quarterfinals and Mexico was left to brood all summer and into the fall.
- Mike Fiammetta