World Cup 2022: Winner Takes All at Al Janoub

Denmark vs Australia

As World Cup 2022 nations go, Denmark have always impressed me.

They had some world-class stars, of course, Peter Schmeichel and the Laudrup brothers to name just three, and their miracle story at Euro 92 remains one for the ages.

Yet even since that great trio departed the international stage, the Danes have still been regular participants at the majority of major tournaments over the past two decades.

There may no longer have that sprinkle of star quality, with the exception of fans’ favourite Christian Eriksen, but they have some top professionals and, collectively, are greater than the sum of their individual parts.

They will need to produce that again on Wednesday because World Cup 2022 highlights are a must, as is a first win of the tournament, if they are to reach the knockout stages in Qatar.

Talking Points

Denmark may have lost to the world champions on Saturday but, again, they showed a determined team approach which always gives them a chance.

The professionalism is telling from back to front with the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Premier League centre-backs past and present Andreas Christensen and Joachim Andersen, captain Simon Kjaer, Sevilla midfielder Thomas Delaney and Spurs man Pierre-Emile Højbjerg all noted for their work rate and efficiency at set pieces.

With France already through in Group D, this has essentially become a winner-takes-all encounter in the Al Janoub Stadium.

That is because Denmark need to win after Australia’s success over Tunisia gave the Aussies a two-point advantage in the standings.

That was only the Socceroos’ third-ever World Cup win and their first since 2010 when they beat Serbia in South Africa,

That result also saw their first clean sheet at the tournament since 1974 so it would be a fine achievement if Australia progressed, especially as they needed to win two sets of play-offs to make it to Qatar, after winning just one of their final seven qualifiers.

Denmark have made it out of the group stage in four of their five finals appearances. Indeed, no side picked up more points in qualification than Kasper Hjulmand’s men.

They have suffered a blow since arriving in the Middle East with Delaney now ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a knee injury, so Brentford man Mikkel Damsgaard may well retain his place, while Kjaer – rested against France and such a key figure in the camp – should also return.

For the Aussies, Nathaniel Atkinson missed the win over Tunisia after picking up a knock to his ankle against France in the group opener.

Fran Karacicm who plies his trade with Brescia in Serie B, came in to replace Atkinson at right-back, the only change for that game, and given the fact they won, it is unlikely that manager Graham Arnold will change anything, injury-permitting.

All the pressure is on the Danes but they should have enough to bring the Aussie adventure to an end.

Whether they bow out or not, the antipodeans have provided my World Cup moment to date.

History

These countries have met four times in history, all in the past 15 years.

The first three were friendlies, beginning in 2007 when Jon Dahl Tomasson scored twice in a 3-1 Denmark triumph in London.

The Ruimsig Stadium in Roodepoort, South Africa, played host to a 2010 friendly on the eve of the World Cup when Josh Kennedy scored the only goal in a 1-0 Australia win.

In Copenhagen two years later, Daniel Agger (penalty) and Andreas Bjelland scored the goals in a 2-0 success for the Danes.

The first competitive meeting came in the World Cup group stages four years ago when Eriksen put Denmark in front before Mile Jedinak became the first player to score three or more goals in World Cup finals history with all of them being penalties.

Australia’s spot-kick in that game ended a run of nine hours and 31 minutes (571 minutes) without conceding in international games for Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Betting Tip

The Danes are odds-on to win this one with the SBOTOP World Cup 2022 betting odds.

You can back the 1992 European Champions in a variety of ways, including 1X2 @ 1.49, Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.47, while Australia are on offer 1X2 @ 7.00 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.36.

The draw, and remember that is all Australia need realistically, is available @ 3.90.

Another group stage 1-1 draw between the sides will earn a payday of @ 7.60.

I just think the Danes will have that bit more experience and quality to edge this from the outset which is why my two-star tip is for Denmark on the First Half Asian Handicap market.

 

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