Ask any Australian and they'll tell you that the Green and Gold were robbed against France. Sure, the Aussies didn't create all that much in front of goal, but their defensive solidity against one of the most talented attacks at the World Cup was reassuring.
Another superb defensive effort is required against the Danes, who don't have quite the same depth of quality as the French, but can be deadly given the opportunity.
Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk will no doubt implement another defensive-based game plan, where the Aussies sacrifice possession of the ball to Denmark, but sit deep to avoid being exposed by Denmark's pace.
He will also surely warn his players of the threat posed by Spurs and Denmark star Christian Eriksen, who is one of the best creative midfielders in the world.
Australia will need to keep the Danes scoreless, with Matthew Leckie's dynamic speed on the counterattack looking like their main route to goal.
If the score is level heading into the last 10, expect Tim Cahill to enter the fray, with the hopes of his nation's World Cup survival resting squarely on his forehead.
Keys to Aussie success: Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan
Mooy will be creator-in-chief for the Socceroos and will be looking for the killer ball to unlock the Danish defence. However, his first responsibility will be shutting down the dangerous Eriksen.
For Huddersfield in the 2017/8 EPL season, Mooy completed the most passes (1,905), but also made the most successful tackles (103), demonstrating his aptitude in both attack and defence.
Keeper Mat Ryan was superb against France, carrying on his excellent club form from Brighton in the EPL. Ryan made 124 saves for the South Coast side, the third most in the league.
His cat-like reflexes will need to be at their very best to earn his first World Cup clean sheet.
Star Danes: Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel
When Peru let Eriksen off the leash, he raced away before providing a pin-point through-ball for Yussuf Poulsen to score the match winner in Denmark's first game.
However, Eriksen doesn't just create goals for his teammates, proving enough times that he is more than capable of putting the ball in the back of the net himself.
He top scored for Denmark in qualifying with 11 goals, 7 better than his next best teammate. More responsibility now falls on the Spurs midfielder's shoulders after the injury to William Kvist against Peru.
Leicester City shot-stopper and son of Manchester United great Peter Schmeichel will be a huge presence in the Danish goal. Among his 6 saves against Peru, some were truly world-class. It will take something special to beat him.
Key Match Up: Josh Risdon vs Pione Sisto
Aussie right back Josh Risdon will once again be tested against lightning speed and trickery, this time coming up against exciting winger Pione Sisto who plays his club football for Celta Vigo in the Spanish La Liga.
Despite conceding a controversial penalty at the start of the second half, Risdon acquitted himself well against Dembele and co. in the 2-1 loss to France and will need another strong performance here.
Sisto has all the talent to expose Australia down the left and you can expect van Marwijk to call on Trent Sainsbury and Mark Milligan to provide a watchful eye over the former Western Sydney Wanderers defender.
Keys Statistics
Excluding friendlies, the Socceroos have not scored a goal from open play in 280 minutes (more than 3 whole matches).
Denmark are undefeated in their last 14 official FIFA international matches.
Betting Tip
Denmark to win to nil @ $3.25.
Reasoning: Australia just lack the quality in the final third to trouble Schmeichel. With Eriksen on the park, you'd expect at least one Danish goal.
But, if you can't stomach betting against the Socceroos, Matthew Leckie is paying $5.50 to score during the game, which represents good value.
Jun 21, 2018 05:30 PM
AAP
