The “Socceroos” won 1-0 (0-0) in Al Wakrah on Wednesday thanks to a goal by Mathew Leckie in the 60th minute. Thus, the outsider managed with a negative goal difference, but with two wins for the second time after 2006, the leap into the round of 16. The winner of Group C is waiting there on Saturday. Denmark disappointed at the tournament.
The Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand had massively rebuilt his team, which absolutely had to win for promotion, and also changed the system. For the first time at this tournament, the 2021 European Championship semi-finalists played with a back four in defence. Midfielder Mathias Jensen, right winger Andreas Skov Olsen and center forward Martin Braithwaite were new to the starting lineup. Australia coach Graham Arnold, on the other hand, made only one change, with Milos Degenek replacing Fran Karacic on the right in the back four.
Denmark dominated the game in the first half, but the attacks, which were mainly carried out from the flanks, were ineffective. Again and again one or more Australians blocked the way to the goal or to a team-mate. In the 10th minute, Jesper Lindström almost had an opportunity in the middle, and shortly afterwards goalkeeper Mathew Ryan saved a shot from Jensen from a tight angle. Joakim Maehle tried it on the left in the 19th minute – Ryan with his foot and then Aaron Mooy knocked the ball away. Skov Olsen (25th) only managed a scooter.
In the last few minutes before the break, Australia showed more courage in attack but remained harmless overall. Riley McGree (23rd) had previously fired a shot on goal from a long distance. After the break, the Danes had to take more risks, but were hardly dangerous in front of Ryan’s box. But Australia had more space in front of them with a fast switching game. A perfectly played counterattack then also brought the lead: Leckie was sent on a journey by McGree, nibbled Maehle with two hooks and hit the far corner with his left flat.
Anyone who then expected an offensive furioso from the Scandinavians in the Al Janoub Stadium was taught a lesson. Not least due to the many changes, there was no fluid combination game, any shots from a greater distance were blocked. In the end, the narrow win was emblematic of both teams’ performances at the World Cup. Better teamwork was probably also the decisive factor for Australia. Denmark dropped out with just one point and one goal as the bottom of the group.
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Source: Nachrichten
