the Socceroos kept their slim hope at the World Cup alive with a good performance in their draw with Denmark, and we look at three players who shined in this clash.
Australia will have to beat Peru in their last group stage clash and hope France are beaten by today’s opponents Denmark cleanly enough, as they still harbour hopes of qualifying into the next round. Australia, today secured a 1-1 draw against Denmark, as it was VAR which played a crucial role again in a clash involving the Socceroos.
Denmark had the brighter start and deservedly took the lead courtesy of a Christian Eriksen strike on the 7th-minute mark. Denmark looked like they could score more goals, only for VAR to intervene yet another game involving Australia as the Socceroos were awarded a penalty, which Mile Jedinak converted to score his second goal in Russia. 1-1.
There were many performers, notably Australia’s Daniel Arzani who became the youngest player to feature in the World tournament, who displayed some impressive skill and could have won the game or his team late on. We now look at the three players from both sides combined who made a difference in this game.
Christian Eriksen – Denmark
As we had rightly predicted for him to make a genuine impact on the pitch against Australia, he duly obliged and showed his class. In the last game, he was responsible for that one moment which changed the game in Denmark’s favour with his killer pass which opened the scoring, this time he turned scorer with a brilliantly taken goal.
He was dominant on the ball on occasions and did his job well in his role. Eriksen’s influence, however, waded off, as Australia took control of the game later on. If not for his goal, he would not have been on this list.
But overall, most of the Danish players were on the back foot for most of the game as Australia took total control of the match. Eriksen’s goal, however, was a decisive point in the game, and as the game ended in a draw, Denmark would cherish this point heading into their last group game against France.
Aaron Mooy – Australia
This game was by far the best Australia have played this World Cup. They were utterly dominant on the ball and kept Denmark on the backfoot for most of the game. Barring the early goal from Denmark which put them on the back foot, the Socceroos, stepped up and in a big way, Aaron Mooy was responsible for most of their excellent play.
Mooy operated in a central role and did so with total confidence, and utterly dominated Denmark from his position. He always found his teammates with some incisive forward passes.
For a brief moment, it looked as if he could be the difference maker and he did strike the ball well towards goal, only for it to go wide of the target. If there were any doubts regarding his ability to influence games, the Denmark match showed everyone, including his reported suitors that he is indeed playing at his peak.
Mile Jedinak – Australia
Australia’s captain now has two goals in this World Cup, from their two games. Both those goals have come from the penalty spots after Australia won those first against France and now in this game against the Danish. Apart from those goals, Jedinak had a dominant display in central midfield.
He was one of those players responsible for keeping Denmark’s promising attacker away from their game as he kept his consistent side on and utterly dominated the midfield area. He won most of his headers, not letting the ball get past his area and to the Danish attacker, but his most important task was to keep Eriksen at bay and did so with total success.
It is such dominant displays in midfield by Jedinak which has been responsible for Australia’s consistent performance in this World Cup. A lack of fortune could be blamed for their loss to France, and in this draw to Denmark, but the talent is definitely there, and the Socceroos still harbour a chance to go through if things go as per plan for them in the coming days.
