Denmark 1-1 Australia
We’ve already had some fantastic entertainment at FIFA 2018 but, as every international coach knows, entertainment doesn’t pay the bonuses!
Australia put on another valiant performance at the Cosmos Arena in Samara but had to settle for a draw with Denmark after a Mile Jedinak penalty had pulled the Aussies level.
We saw one of the best goals of FIFA 2018 so far when Christian Eriksen put Denmark ahead. And our SBOBET odds pointed to another win for Age Hareide’s men after they beat Peru in a tight match on Saturday, though the Danes had, in many ways, been less impressive than the Socceroos in their opening fixture.
Highlights of the game
It only took seven minutes for Eriksen to put his mark on the game with a sublime finish. Nicolai Jorgensen made a super run into the box to put Eriksen in, and the Danes’ top man hit a peach of a half-volley which gave Aussie keeper Matt Ryan no chance.
Bert van Marwijk knew damn well that he needed a result here, and that was not the start he was after. It could have been much worse for Australia on 25 minutes when Henrik Dalsgaard raided down the right and delivered the perfect cross for Jorgensen, but the Feyenoord striker headed wastefully wide when he should have scored.
Then Australia were right back in it before the break in a moment of high drama. Yussuf Poulsen, the hero of Denmark’s victory over Peru, was on the wrong end of a VAR decision when he handled a Mathew Leckie header. He was only a metre away but the ref pointed to the spot, and Mile Jedinak fired home his second penalty in two matches.
That decision may well have given Van Marwijk’s team renewed faith in the VAR system, having been victims of a strange judgement against France.
Denmark had the first real chance of the second half when Lass Schone worked his way into the box and the ball ran to Pione Sisto who fired his shot wide, though it appeared to have been deflected unbeknown to the ref. But as the second half began to take shape, Australia saw more of the ball and Celtic forward Tom Rogic began to find his feet, winning a ball brilliantly in midfield to release Leckie. However, the winger’s touch let him down.
The play switched from end to end and the game was there for the taking. Australia tried to claw their way back into the group while Denmark pondered whether to stick or twist. Leckie was in no doubt doing what Australia should do; raiding down the right again before crossing between Kasper Schmeichel’s legs, but Dalsgaard was on hand to hoof the ball clear before it was poked in.
Huddersfield Town man Aaron Mooy had a strike from 25 yards and was inches high and wide, and then Rogic tested Schmeichel from distance and the Foxes keeper held on.
As the momentum continued to swing back and forth, Pione Sisto had a crack from 20 yards and was just wide. But then, as we all took a breather, it was the end of the game for poor Andrew Nabbout who was helped off with what looked like a dislocated shoulder. Painful!
Australia looked like the side most likely to win by this stage, and Daniel Arzani wreaked havoc in the Denmark defence by cutting in from the right, brilliantly leaving Sisto in his wake, before firing a low cross right across the box. But again, no-one there to put the ball in.
The 19-year-old Arzani looked too hot for the Danes to handle, and with minutes left on the clock he broke clear on the left side of the box and fired a fierce shot which Schmeichel saved at the near post. Leckie then fired in a volley which the Danish keeper gratefully clutched.
The FIFA 2018 odds suggest Denmark could be dark horses for a place in the latter stages while Australia were always way out in the cold as outsiders. It seems harsh but this is a results business and the odds look about right.
Key statistics
In three previous meetings, Denmark won two and the Aussies one. With 53 per cent possession and 13 shots to eight, Australia will rightly feel they shaded this one. They have lost each of their last four World Cup games, conceding two or more in each game. This is progress indeed.
Denmark came in unbeaten in five matches without conceding a single goal, so credit to the Socceroos there.
We like a bit of controversy, and this was the second time in the tournament that the Danes have conceded a penalty through VAR. And it was Australia’s second spot-kick too, both scored by Jedinak.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski scored more than Christian Eriksen in the European qualifying groups. And while he had a quiet game, the Spurs playmaker was on the score-sheet again with an absolute beauty.
What’s next?
Australia meet Peru next Tuesday, and by that time, dependant on other FIFA 2018 results in Group C, they could be bottom. But they are still in there and fighting. They just need that bit of luck to score goals in open play. They get the ball into the box but need to find that killer touch.
Denmark face France in Moscow in the race for the group’s top place, though that may not be the prize you’d hope for, with Argentina looking quite likely to pick up second place in Group D!
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