Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard has labelled Australia’s rout of Canada as “perfect”, but he’s confident his team boast the weapons to beat a Matildas side boosted by the return of Sam Kerr.
World No.13 Denmark secured their passage to the round of 16 of a Women’s World Cup for the first time since 1995 with a 2-0 group stage win over Haiti in Perth on Tuesday night.
By finishing runners-up in Group D behind England, Denmark will now have to take on the might of the Matildas and a sellout crowd of around 80,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Monday.
The Matildas’ World Cup hopes were on thin ice following a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria last week, but they found their groove with a 4-0 demolition of Olympic champions Canada to finish top of Group B.
Kerr didn’t feature in the group stage after injuring her calf on the eve of the tournament, but she’s set to be unleashed against Denmark.
“She can score goals, she has a fantastic header, she’s quick … she is perhaps the best striker in the world,” Sondergaard said.
“Of course you have to have an eye on her – if she’s fit of course.
“We have played Australia twice in the last couple of years, and Sam Kerr played in both of those games.
“So we know how to deal with her. Even though it’s difficult, we know how she plays.
“We know she can be out of a game and then suddenly she’s in the right place at the right moment.
“If she gets chances like some of the Haitian players got today, I think she probably would score.”
Sondergaard was glowing in his praise of Australia’s display against Olympic champions Canada.
“Their performance against Canada was perfect in a way,” he said.
“The whole nation are standing behind them, and I think that’s important for them.
“It could also be pressure if the game goes into the second half and it’s still 0-0.”
Sam Kerr and Alanna Kennedy of Australia celebrate the team’s 4-0 victory and qualification for the knockout stage. (Photo by Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Star Denmark striker Pernille Harder knows all about Kerr’s talents after playing alongside the Australian star for three years at Women’s Super League powerhouse Chelsea.
“She’s an amazing player, an amazing person,” Harder, who has just joined Bayern Munich, said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her, but not to play against her.
“She’s a great striker. She knows where the goal is. She has some unbelievable skills with her header.”
As for Denmark dealing with a heaving pro-Matildas crowd?
“I think I’ll just imagine they’re cheering Denmark instead of Australia,” Harder said with a laugh.
Denmark’s defence looked shaky against Haiti, especially in the second half.
But Sondergaard is confident in his team’s abilities and talent.
“We have a pretty good defence, we have a player like Pernille, who can decide games,” Sondergaard said.
“I think we have a good chance, but we also know it’s going to be difficult, and we’re looking forward to the game.”
Lloyd truth bomb for listless Yanks
Women’s World Cup-winning legend Carli Lloyd has lashed the current United States team after their limp 0-0 draw with Portugal.
The reigning champions flirted with disaster in Auckland on Tuesday night, watching Ana Capeta’s shot smash against the goalpost and rebound clear when a goal would have ended their campaign.
Instead, the four-time champions limped through to the knockout rounds in second, just ahead of Portugal in their first World Cup appearance.
Lloyd could not hide her contempt as she watched players enjoy their progression with fans at Eden Park despite the poor result.
“I have never witnessed something like that … to be dancing, to be smiling,” she said.
“The player of the match was that post. They are lucky to not be going home right now.
“Today was just simply uninspiring, disappointing. They don’t look fit. They’re playing as individuals and the tactics are just too predictable.”
Veteran defender Kelley O’Hara, who led a team huddle in the aftermath of the result, put on a brave face.
“I told the team, ‘listen, we did what we had to do. We’re moving on’,” she said.
“Maybe we didn’t do it the way we wanted to, or planned on doing it, but we’re advancing. And this is the World Cup and that’s all that matters.”
Star Megan Rapinoe said she wanted the team to be “calmer” as they attacked.
For Vlatko Andonovski, already a maligned figure, the result will heap pressure on the first-time World Cup coach.
Inheriting the reins of a two-time reigning world champion after their last triumph, there is a growing view the team has not progressed under his leadership.
Andonovski has asked fans for patience from his side, saying it is a team in transition and players are still learning to gel.
“It’s a fairly new team … they haven’t been together for a long time and they just miss each other on whether it’s a pass or a through ball or a cross,” he said.
“I don’t think that was a good performance altogether. I don’t think we were able to solve the problems the opponents were presenting
“Hopefully we can synchronise and get the lines in sync.”
While he was happy to admit a poor night at the office, he wouldn’t stomach criticism from pundits suggesting his players weren’t hungry enough.
“This team wanted to win this game more than anything else,” he said.
“To question the mentality of this team, to question the willingness to win, to compete, it’s insane.
“I’ve never seen this team step on the field and not try hard to compete.”
The second-place finish will see the United States chart an unexpected course on their quest to a third-straight title.
Instead of a date with a second-placed team in Sydney for the round of 16, they are bound for Melbourne for a date with, most likely, Sweden.
It will be a meeting of the world No.1s and the world No.3s – the last team to beat the US at the tournament in regular time back in 2011.
There is more bad news for the US with Rose Lavelle to miss after a second yellow card against Portugal.
The result will also affect fans and broadcasters with the United States’ new passage meaning their matches will be screened early in the morning in mainland USA.
James lights up England thrashing
England coach Sarina Wiegman has praised her side’s adaptability after they demolished China 6-1 in their final Women’s World Cup Group D match.
Lauren James starred for the Lionesses with two goals and three assists as England sealed top spot and a round of 16 match against Group B runner up Nigeria in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Wiegman made three changes to the starting line-up at Hindmarsh Stadium on Tuesday with Katie Zelem replacing the injured Kiera Walsh. Lauren Hemp and Jessica Carter were also brought into the XI at the expense of Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly.
The changes attracted much curiosity pre-match as to what formation Wiegman would adopt and whether the tinkering in personnel and tactics would pay off.
When play commenced, England lined up in 3-5-2 formation and completely dominated proceedings from the outset in the new-look set-up and rarely looked troubled.
“I think when we discussed that we wanted to change like this everyone really believed in it straight away – that’s what you could see on the pitch,” Wiegman said.
“We always look at how we can use the (team’s) qualities the most and what they showed is that they are really adaptable.”
“You make a choice and you go for it, but you need the belief of the team and they were actually really excited by it and that’s what showed tonight.”
England’s win was highlighted by the stunning performance from James who teed up Alessia Russo for the opener before slipping in Hemp on 26 minutes.
Either side of the interval the Chelsea attacker found the net from outside the area and scored a contender for goal of the tournament with a first-time volley. She capped her performance with a third assist for substitute Kelly.
“She’s special – a very special player for us and for women’s football in general,” said Kelly of James. “She’s a special talent and the future is bright.”
Wiegman added of James: “She feels good, you can tell. She did special things today. She flows over the pitch.”
“I felt free, whether I am on the wing or in the middle, I am just happy to be on the pitch playing and enjoying my football,” said James. “I am happy I can contribute to goals as well.
“Each game I am looking to improve and get better. There are many more years of improvement. I can always get better.
“I just need to stay focused and hopefully that can happen.”
