Denmark look to make decisive step against Australia

Denmark look to make decisive step against Australia

Denmark vs Australia – Thursday, June 21, 12:00BST/13:00CEST/14:00 MSK – Samara-Arena, Samara, Russia

Denmark vs Australia will take place at the Samara Arena (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Denmark vs Australia will take place at the Samara Arena (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Denmark look to confirm their heroics their matchday 1 heroics against Peru by making a gigantic step towards the knockout stage when they face Australia on Thursday. Denmark were overrun by Peru at times, and it was only thanks to an excellent Kasper Schmeichel in goal and a brilliant goal by Yussuf Poulsen that the Danish Dynamite ended up taking all three points.

Despite Peru’s energetic start, the match showed Denmark’s greatest strengths. Bending without breaking the Danes let Peru attack absorbing much of the pressure and breaking forward fast when the opportunity arose – once Poulsen had scored Denmark quickly took control of the match – not letting the South American upstarts back into the game.

The result means that the Danish Dynamite are now in a very comfortable position when they face Australia. The Socceroos, in the meantime, are in trouble after losing 2-1 to World Cup favourites France.

Playing well on matchday 1 Australia held France until 58th minute Antoine Griezmann was brought down on a breakaway. The Atlético striker stepped up and scored himself. Many expected that Australia would now falter, but instead, Mile Jedinak struck back right away four minutes later equalising for the Socceroos. 

An upset was in the air until Aziz Behich scored an own goal in the 80th minute. With only ten minutes to go, Australia were not able to strike back. But overall the Socceroos can take plenty of positives from the match. Playing well organised counter-football Australia were dangerous when going forward and this sort of performance could cause some significant damage against Denmark.

Hence, Denmark against Australia will be a well-balanced match that could go either way. Australia, however, will have to win the match to stay alive in Group C, which could play in Denmark’s hands as the Danes could sit deep and hit the Socceroos on the counter.

Denmark vs Australia – Players to look out for:

Kasper Schmeichel #1 – Denmark (Leicester City)

Kasper Schmeichel was excellent against Peru on matchday 1. The Leicester City keeper is slowly but surely stepping out of the shadow of his famous father, and former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel. Great on the line and fantastic in controlling his box Schmeichel makes the difference in tight matches.

Kasper Schmeichel is stepping out of his father's shadow (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Kasper Schmeichel is stepping out of his father’s shadow (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Mile Jedinak #15 – Australia (Aston Villa)

Mile Jedinak is Australia’s leader on the pitch. The central midfielder is a tower with a strong physical presence. His goal against France highlighted that he is a weapon whenever his country receive a corner or free-kick.

Mile Jedinak can be a weapon for his country (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Mile Jedinak can be a weapon for his country (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Denmark vs Australia – Match Stats

  • Denmark and Australia have met on three previous occasions. None of the previous three matches ended in a draw with Denmark winning three and Australia winning one.
  • Australia have lost seven out of nine World Cup matches against European opposition (W1 D1).
  • Australia have lost their last four World Cup matches – conceding at least two goals in the process.

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Denmark vs Australia – 2-1

Denmark vs Australia – Lineups

Denmark:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Schmeichel – Stryger Larsen, Christensen, Kjær, Dalsgaard – Schöne, Delaney – Sisto, Eriksen, Poulsen – Nicolai Jörgensen

Head Coach: Age Hareide

Australia:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Ryan – Behich, Sainsbury, Milligan, Risdon – Jedinak, Mooy – Kruse, Rogic, Leckie – Nabbout

Head Coach: Bert van Marwijk

Manuel Veth is the owner and Editor in Chief of the Futbolgrad Network. He also works as a freelance journalist and among others works for the Bundesliga and Pro Soccer USA. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which is available HERE. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth.

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