Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand isn’t just aware of upcoming opponent Australia — he’s clearly a big fan.
Asked his impression of the Socceroos before Thursday morning’s (2am AEDT) crunch World Cup qualifying showdown in Qatar, Hjulmand spoke highly of the Aussie “fighting spirit” — and the need for his Denmark team to match it.
But it was when he was asked about the impression the Australian players had made in the Danish national league that he really let on his admiration for the green and gold.
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Many Australians have played in Denmark’s top flight; current Socceroos Mat Ryan and Joel King are there now, while Awer Mabil spent seven years there before moving to Spain this season.
“There are always great professionals,” Hjulmand said.
“I think Australia is a great sports country altogether. I think you have a great culture of sports, the way that sports really mean something in the country is remarkable.
“I think in Australia also you see the Olympics , how well they do. I love the culture of sports in Australia and I think we see that when we see the players in our league, and also with Mat (Ryan) now – top professional, a great guy. So the Australian players always leave a good impression.”
Hjulmand said Australia’s 1-0 upset win over Tunisia had not changed his impression of the Socceroos – he already rated them highly before the tournament.
Thursday’s clash looms as a virtual sudden death showdown, with the winner going through to the knockout stages.
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“We have great respect for Australian football and the spirit, the fighting spirit,” he said.
“That’s what national team football is all about, it’s emotions and feelings and you see how much it means for the team … they have a very united way of playing football.”
Denmark have just one point from their opening two games; a scoreless draw with Tunisia and a 2-1 loss to France.
Hjulmand’s praise of Australia also came with an ominous warning that his side would not be outworked, or outfought.
“We think we have the quality and we have a good team but we have great respect for this team and it’s going to be a difficult match,” he said.
“But we’re confident that we can step it up … and match their desire and passion because we have that too and I don’t think they can overmatch our desire and our passion
“But we have to prove it and we have to show that on Wednesday.”
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Aussie defender Kye Rowles says he owes defensive partner Harry Souttar several beers after his blunder late against Tunisia almost proved costly.
Rowles was the last line of defence when his slip opened the door for Tunisia’s Taha Yassine Khenissi to break away and chase an equaliser.
It took a remarkable covering tackle from Souttar to spare Rowles’ blushes and the 24-year-old reflected on the moment on Sunday
“I felt pretty vulnerable when that happened. It wasn’t my greatest moment for sure,” Rowles said.
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”… rewatching it (Souttar) swallowed him up in about three strides. I said thank you after the game to him, about five times, because yeah… I think I owe him a couple after that for sure.”
Rowles was heartened by the fact it wasn’t just Souttar that had his back — a number of Australian teammates were chasing back to defuse the situation.
”There was one person from their team making a breakaway and there were five or six of us that were already around the ball to support H if he didn’t make that tackle,” Rowles said.
Rowles and the rest of the team that played against Tunisia were given light duties at Aussie training, with Graham Arnold expected to have a full bill of health for the Denmark clash.
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Match-winner Mitch Duke has dismissed any suggestion the Socceroos could look to take a conservative approach into the Denmark match.
A draw is likely to be enough to secure Australia progression but playing for a point would go against the mentality that has got Australia this far, Duke said.
”I don’t think any of us are going into the game trying to rest on our laurels and salvage a point,” said Duke, who became just the eighth Australian man to score at a World Cup.
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“We’re going to go into it exactly the same as we did the last two games, and that’s trying to get three points.
“You don’t really want to count on anyone else to do the job for you. We’re just completely focused on the next game and putting in another solid shift and hopefully that gets us the three points.”