Bert van Marwijk’s side opened their Russian campaign on the end of a narrow defeat to France in a match that many feel should have been a draw, but the Socceroos will need to rebound fast if they want to keep their World Cup dream running, as a win for Denmark – who downed Peru 1-0 in their opening match – could spell the end.
Denmark looked solid in their 1-0 win over Peru, with the team managing to grab three points despite the opposition dominating most of the play. However, Åge Hareide’s men will still be no pushover, as the Danish qualified after thrashing Ireland 5-1 in the playoffs, and more worryingly, they have not conceded during the five matches since then – including a friendly victory over world champion-downing Mexico.
Key Battle – Aaron Mooy vs Christian Eriksen
This match could very well be decided by which attacking midfield superstar performs better on the day, with both Aaron Mooy and Christian Eriksen being key to their nation’s chances. For the Socceroos, Mooy has been in great form so far, with the Huddersfield midfielder putting in a top-drawer performance against France and setting up Australia’s penalty with a great free-kick into the box. He will need to work extremely hard again to ensure Australia can create attacking chances going forward, but also remain tight at the back and grind out a positive result.
Mooy will also need to be wary of the threat that is Denmark’s Christian Eriksen and the huge impact he could have on the match. Eriksen, who plies his trade for Tottenham, has been the go-to man for Denmark – being involved in 13 of Denmark’s last 19 goals, netting eight himself. The 26-year-old was reasonably quiet against Peru except for his match-winning assist to Yussuf Poulsen, but he is a player who only needs one moment to shape a match, so Mooy and the rest of the Socceroos will need to keep him quiet to get anything from this match.
Team News
Given how well the Socceroos shaped up against France, it is likely that minimal changes will be made, with the only potential switch likely being Massimo Luongo for Mile Jedinak in order to create more attacking opportunities in a match where goals are necessary.
However, Denmark will be forced to make changes from the side that beat Peru in Saransk, with FC Copenhagen midfielder William Kvist out after breaking his rib.
Australia expected XI: Ryan (GK); Risdon, Sainsbury, Milligan, Behich, Luongo, Mooy, Kruse, Rogic, Leckie, Nabbout
Head-to-head
Australia has only won one game in the history of their three clashes, with the Socceroos’ sole win coming just before the 2010 World Cup, when a 71st minute Josh Kennedy goal earned a 1-0 triumph in Johannesburg.
Last Meeting
Australia faced Denmark in Copenhagen for their final warmup match before they kicked off their Euro 2012 campaign and it was the Danish who ran out easy victors, as a first-half Daniel Agger penalty and a second-half Andreas Bjelland goal led to a 2-0 win.
Prediction
Australia can be proud of how they battled against France, but the time of gutsy losses is over, as a win is needed or their Russian campaign is virtually over. But if the Socceroos take the lessons learned from the French game and apply it here, they could grab a hugely important win and throw themselves right back into the mix for the Round of 16. Australia 1 Denmark 0
