Socceroos dominate but held to draw by Denmark
Related Story: As it happened: Socceroos hold Denmark to 1-1 draw but WC fate up in the air
Australia is still alive at the 2018 World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Denmark, with the Socceroos dominating most of the game but failing to add to Mile Jedinak's goal from the penalty spot.
Australia started slowly, and Denmark made the Socceroos pay when Christian Eriksen got on the end of some intelligent work at the edge of the penalty area to volley home with power and precision.
But the Socceroos worked their way into the game, and were level before half-time thanks to Jedinak's coolly-taken penalty. There will be questions over the awarding of the spot kick, with VAR intervening to spot a marginal handball from an Australia corner.
The second half became a Socceroos onslaught as Denmark tired and Australia pushed for a second goal, but that second goal remained elusive.
Perhaps Bert van Marwijk's side will look back on a sluggish start in the first stanza with disappointment, but as the half wore on, Australia seemed to realise its opponent was nothing to fear.
Aaron Mooy was excellent as a holding midfielder, while Mat Leckie played arguably his best game in a Socceroos shirt.
Australia's goal came in contentious circumstances, with the Danish fans in the crowd no doubt feeling aggrieved at the decision made with the assistance of VAR. Yussuf Poulsen challenged for a header before the ball struck his arm, which the referee adjudged to have been in an unnatural position.
Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel tried to put Jedinak off with some choice words, but the captain's blood was ice cool. Australia's last four goals in competitive matches (excluding friendlies) have now come from Jedinak via the penalty spot.
Once the game resumed after the break, it was all Australia. Tom Rogic came into the game more and more, while Leckie continued his incredible work rate and was a constant threat.
There were chances for Mooy and Robbie Kruse, and a frustrating number of crosses that narrowly missed Australian targets.
When Daniel Arzani was introduced for Kruse, Australia lifted another gear again. The youngest player at this tournament was undaunted and breathtaking on the ball at times, but despite persistent probing with shots and crosses, not even the Melbourne City starlet could force a winner.
Mathew Leckie's heatmap
External Link: Mathew Leckie's heatmap
Andrew Nabbout's World Cup looks likely to be over after he was substituted early with a dislocated shoulder — the timing of this forced sub perhaps saw Tomi Juric brought on ahead of Tim Cahill, who may have been used later in the match.
Denmark offered little by way of a response, but asked the odd question through long range shots or balls lobbed forward. Eriksen was anonymous after half-time as Jedinak and Mooy took control.
But, as painfully is becoming the story of Australia at World Cups, the Socceroos were tough, brave and impressive but perhaps did not get what they deserved.
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ABC .net
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