2010 World Cup Soccer

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UPDATE – For results and match review visit the Australia Vs Denmark review article

Australia will face an in-form Denmark in Roodepoort, South Africa, on Tuesday, 1 June in lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.

The friendly, designed as a warm-up match to the main event, comes after a last-gasp victory to the Socceroos over New Zealand in Melbourne on Monday, 24 May.

Despite the 2-1 score line, the farewell match raised concerns over whether the Socceroos can match it with the world’s best ahead of its World Cup group stage blockbuster against Germany on Sunday, 13 June.

After Australia used its get-out-of-jail card against the All Whites, sections of the media have criticised the Socceroos’ defensive style of play.

However, time and time again, coach, Pim Verbeek, has demonstrated his ability in getting the right results for Australia when the on-field performances have otherwise lacked bite.

Verbeek’s side only conceded four goals in 14 matches throughout its entire qualification series leaving the Socceroos in a strong position to come out on top against the well-structured Danes.

On the flip side, Denmark will come into this match on the back of an impressive qualification campaign that saw the Scandinavians win six of their ten matches to finish on top of their group ahead of the likes of Portugal and Sweden.

The Danish will undoubtedly be a formidable outfit, with members of its squad playing for the likes of Arsenal, Juventus and Liverpool.

Also, with coach, Martin Olsen, at the helm for ten years now, Denmark have become a well-organised defensive unit, relying on its short-passing game in breaking down opposition defences.

Denmark has a newfound stability in its team, which has reaped the benefits of reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup; its crucial 3-2 away win in Portugal the high point of achieving qualification in a group where many football pundits tipped the Danes to fail.

Previous Encounters

The two sides have only confronted each other once in a friendly back in 2007 when Australia plunged to a 3-1 defeat; the Socceroos conceding three goals in 30 minutes in a first-half that featured some lacklustre Australian defending.

The Danes, however, were the better side in creating chance after chance; captain, Jon-Dahl Tomasson, bagging a brace, and defensive-midfielder, Daniel Jensen also finding the net.

For Australia, after having two goals disallowed, Brett Emerton gained scant consolation by scoring directly from a free-kick five minutes before time.

Players to Watch:

Denmark – Daniel Agger

While most Aussie eyes will be on Danish forwards, Nicklas Bendtner and Jon-Dahl Tomasson, look to Daniel Agger as once again being the rock in defence for the Danes.

Agger is nimble, possesses an enviable tackle and has the ability to push forward and score from long range with his deadly left foot.

The Liverpool centre-back has developed into the general of Denmark’s defence since the retirement of stalwart, Martin Laursen, and was a major reason in seeing the Danish only conceding five goals in its ten qualification matches.

Australia – Tim Cahill

After a disappointing display against the All Whites last Monday, Cahill will look to produce his A game against a Danish outfit who, in-turn, will look to man-mark the Australian champion.

Cahill’s outstanding return of 19 goals in 38 appearances for the Socceroos makes him a dangerous prospect in dissecting the Danish defence.

Particularly look for the Talisman’s influence to come to the fore from set-pieces, where his extraordinary leap and towering header makes him difficult to defend against.

Prediction

With both sides likely to use experimental squads going into this game, expect a greater emphasis on defence than in attack.

There’s no question that the Danes will provide the Socceroos with a sterner challenge than that of the All Whites, yet expect a more positive output for Australia in attempting to go into the World Cup with some form under its belt.

While Australia’s second-half performance against its Trans-Tasman rival gives it a pulse going into this encounter, Denmark will be no pushover and will go into this battle expecting maximum points.

Here should be a game with packed defences, limited chances and touches of class which may separate the cream from the crop. However, anticipate that both sides may delay from drawing the ace from their World Cup sleeve too soon.

Australia 1-1 Denmark

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