Dutch striker Arjen Robben, admitted after the match against Mexico that simulated at the phase of the meeting in which the referee awarded a penalty, with which his team qualified for the World Cup in Brazil quarter-finals.
It was a great day for the Duch fans, and very sad for the Mexicans. The Central American team had a better performance in the meeting from yesterday, and managed to open the score. But it collapsed in the last minutes, when the Dutch managed to score twice.
Wesley Sneijder restored parity in the 88th minute and then Arjen Robben got a penalty in the overtime minutes, converted by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in 90 +4 minutes. And at the end of the match Robben has admitted that simulated at that phase and has apologized for his gesture.
“I have to be honest and must apologise,” he told NOS.
“One of the moments in the first half was a dive. Sometimes you get kicked, but that was not the case at that particular moment. I shouldn’t have done that and I’m really upset with myself about it. It was a silly action.
“The other one inthe first half was a clear penalty. If that’s not a spot-kick, then what is… The one at the end was a just penalty call as well.”
After obtaining the penalty kick, surprisingly Robben left on Huntelaar to convert it. And the Dutch footballer explained this decision.
“Usually I am comfortable with taking a penalty, but this time I was the one who was tackled. I felt comfortable that Huntelaar would capitalize,” he explained.
“It was his moment, he deserved this. I’m almost crying from the emotions. The feeling is so strong, we want to win this, to fight together. These youngsters … I am so proud.”