Mile Jedinak celebrates his pen.
Camera IconMile Jedinak celebrates his pen. Credit: AFP

World Cup 2018, Australia v Denmark: Socceroos score fighting draw to keep dream alive

Tom Smithies and Huw Bonello at the Samara ArenaHerald Sun

THE dream is alive, and the Socceroos still have the chance to make history.

A 1-1 draw with Denmark means Australia must defeat Peru on Wednesday morning (1am EST) to have hope of advancing from their group, after a thrilling and inspired display in Samara.

A goal behind to Tottenham star Christian Eriksen early on, the Australians galvanised against a side ranked 24 places above them.

Mile Jedinak scores the penalty that gave the Socceroos a draw against Denmark.
Camera IconMile Jedinak scores the penalty that gave the Socceroos a draw against Denmark. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Victory would have been entirely deserved after Bert van Marwijk’s side carved out a series of second half chances.

But in the end they could only register Mile Jedinak’s second penalty in successive games, and they will have to rely on the result of France v Denmark in the other final game falling their way.

Van Marwijk said his team had “improved every day” but bemoaned a lack of clinical finishing.

The Game AFL 2024

Daniel Arzani wreaked havoc on Denmark.
Camera IconDaniel Arzani wreaked havoc on Denmark. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

“We had chances to win and we deserved to win, so I’m disappointed,” the Dutchman said.

“I fully agree we should have won. Against France we also deserved more, I think.

“We have one point and we deserve four points from these two games.

“The last part of the puzzle is that we must make the difference by scoring one goal more than the opponent.

“I must be satisfied about all the things we asked of (my players). From the first day the team has improved every day and they surprised me today again.”

Mile Jedinak contests the ball in defence for the Socceroos.
Camera IconMile Jedinak contests the ball in defence for the Socceroos. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

Van Marwijk has to decide who replaces Andrew Nabbout for the final group game against Peru in Sochi, with the striker’s World Cup cruelly over after he dislocated his shoulder.

As was the case after the France game, Van Marwijk refused to answer questions on his team selection but allayed fears that fatigue would force him into changes.

“That’s also a question of who will play in the last game. You saw in the end that the players are tired, but we are fit enough to play in the third game,” he said.

Tomi Juric shapes as Nabbout’s mostly likely replacement, while Australia’s record goalscorer Tim Cahill - an unused subsitute again - is another option.

Youngster Daniel Arzani looked dangerous after coming on in the second half and Van Marwijk hinted the 19-year-old could start against Peru.

“He (Arzani) has to learn a lot but I trust him. He is talented and an intelligent player,” he said.

“It’s good for him to play for 25 minutes. I will see what I do for him next game.”

Denmark coach Age Hareide singled out winger Mathew Leckie as Australia’s best.

“Leckie is an outstanding player,” he said.

Socceroo’s coach Bert van Marwijk praised the resolve of his players after the match.
Camera IconSocceroo’s coach Bert van Marwijk praised the resolve of his players after the match. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

“(He’s) very active and quick. He had a good game. Their (Australia’s) players are good, well organised and hard to break down.”

Australia must now beat Peru in their final group game and hope the result goes their way in France’s clash with Denmark in Moscow. Van Marwik said he was only focused on his own team’s result.

“For me it’s only important we have to beat Peru. I have no influence over the rest. I don’t think about it.”

Socceroo’s goal keeper Mathew Ryan gives direction to his defensive line during the match.
Camera IconSocceroo’s goal keeper Mathew Ryan gives direction to his defensive line during the match. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

After all the optimism generated by the performance against France, it was desperately disappointing to concede so early in the contest.

Nor could the Socceroos say they hadn’t been warned about the brilliance of Christian Eriksen.

His rifled half volley in the sixth minute showed that in spades, but it was galling in the extreme for the Australians that he had been able to ghost unmarked into the box and feed off Nicolai Jorgensen’s clever knock down, the ball flying past Ryan at exocet speed.

Encouraged by the goal Denmark found a rhythm and moved the ball around with flair.

Denmark’s Nicolai Jorgensen reacts after missing a shot on goal.
Camera IconDenmark’s Nicolai Jorgensen reacts after missing a shot on goal. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

One elegant move freed Henrik Dalsgaard for a sublime cross that Jorgensen wastefully headed wide.

The Socceroos, though, have character in abundance. Once more van Marwijk had trusted the experience of Mile Jedinak in midfield, and once more he was rewarded with a goal from the penalty spot.

That Australia got the spot kick came, with supreme irony, from the VAR, a system despised in the A-League but coming for once to Australia’s rescue.

Andrew Nabbout badly injured his shoulder and was forced from the field.
Camera IconAndrew Nabbout badly injured his shoulder and was forced from the field. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

Referee Antonio Lahoz initially missed the fact that Mathew Leckie’s header had been blocked by the arm of Yussuf Poulsen, but the VAR didn’t. As the Danes protested loudly, Jedinak stroked home the penalty.

The tension, even back on level terms, was excruciating.

Eriksen drove a low free-kick across the box and hit Trent Sainsbury, saved from conceding an own goal by Ryan’s save right on the goal line.

The contest was enthralling and van Marwijk’s side began to take control.

On 54 minutes Tom Rogic’s ball opened space for Aziz Behich to hit a glorious cross to the far post, desperately headed clear by Simon Kjaer as Leckie charged in.

A devasted Andrew Nabbout after he dislocated his shoulder during the 1-1 draw.
Camera IconA devasted Andrew Nabbout after he dislocated his shoulder during the 1-1 draw. Credit: News Corp Australia, Toby Zerna

Brilliantly the Australians took the game to the Danes; Behich hared into space down the left and crossed deep to the far post where Kasper Schmeichel could only palm it down. Leckie drove it back across goal but Andreas Christensen hacked the ball clear.

Aaron Mooy let fly from distance and sank to his knees in disbelief as the ball grazed the crossbar, then Rogic and Leckie tested Schmeichel with their own shots.

Arzani came on to cause havoc, dancing around Pione Sisto and firing a cross shot that couldn’t find an Australian boot.

Like the end result, it was so near and yet so far.