FIFA World Cup 2022: Australia celebrates entry into the round of 16

Australia cleared the preliminary round hurdle for the first time in 16 years. With a 1-0 win against Denmark, the “Socceroos” advanced to the round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar and threw the EM semi-finalists into a vale of tears.

Australia went into the group final with the best starting position and their destiny in their own hands, unlike their rivals Denmark and Tunisia. Mathew Leckie provided redemption in the do-or-die game at Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah on Wednesday (November 30, 2022). The ex-Bundesliga professional from Hertha BSC scored the goal of the day with a precise left-footed shot after a counterattack (61st). With that, Australia moved into the knockout stage alongside the French, who had already qualified.

First a summer fairy tale, now a desert winter fairy tale

The Australians have been to a World Cup five times and had to pack their bags four times after the group stage. In Qatar it finally worked again with the knockout round. It was the first knockout round at a World Cup since the 2006 tournament in Germany. The Danes – treated as secret favorites after a strong World Cup qualification – were eliminated surprisingly early with just one point (0-0 against Tunisia).

Danes: New tactics, fresh players

Australia had a deal 1-0 win against Tunisia brought into the brilliant starting position. No wonder coach Graham Arnold hardly changed his starting eleven and only made one change: Former 1860 Munich professional Milos Degenek defended instead of Fran Karacic.

Kasper Hjulmand, Denmark’s head coach, relied on three fresh players after a disappointing start with just one point from two games. Mathias Jensen replaced Victor Nelsson, while Andreas Skov Olsen and Martin Braithwaite should be more of a goal threat in attack than Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Cornelius have been recently. In addition, the Danes acted for the first time with a four-man defense.

“Danish Dynamite” does not ignite

The 2021 European Championship semi-finalist wanted to unleash more offensive power. The plan worked – but only in terms of ball possession and shots on goal. “Danish Dynamite” only showed a goal threat in the first 20 minutes.

In the early stages, the Socceroos withdrew extremely far and gave Denmark the ball. The Hjulmand team combined well through midfield, but in the last third it became too imprecise. Almost all inputs ended up with the opponent. And if there was a shot on goal, Mathew Ryan was there. The Australian goalkeeper had to intervene for the first time in the eleventh minute when Jensen shot from a tight angle and also won against Christian Eriksen, who shot from close range.

Australia pulls the tooth out of the Danes

As in the first two games, the Danes, despite being clearly superior, were lacking in compelling shots and, from the 30th minute, also in ideas. Instead, the Australians fought their way into the game, shifted the action to midfield and, after simple mistakes by the Danes in the closing stages of the first half, appeared more and more dangerously in front of Kasper Schmeichel’s goal.

Denmark unsettled

Denmark had one half left to avert the World Cup. But the start of the second half was disastrous. Schmeichel gave Australia a corner with a Larifari pass and Aziz Behich’s top shot was the result. The scene was exemplary for the disappointing appearance of the European Championship high-flyer, who lacked body language and speed.

Leckie scores coolly to make it 1-0

Australia sensed the chance and had to take more risks from the 57th minute at the latest. By this time Tunisia had taken the lead against France and passed Australia in Group D. The answer came promptly: Riley McGee sent Mathews Leckie through the ball, who hooked like a hare, making Joakim Maehle look old and hitting the far post with a well-placed left.

Australia trembles in the round of 16

Denmark now needed three goals to reach the knockout stages. The northern Europeans were miles away from that that day. Instead, Australia pushed for the 2-0 lead after taking the lead. That would have calmed them down. But Australia had to tremble – not because of the Danes, but because of Tunisia. The North Africans were still leading against France. A goal by the Danes and Australia would have been eliminated. The players from Down Under threw themselves into every ball, defended the narrow 1-0 with luck and skill and celebrated the second round of 16 in their World Cup history.

Source: sportschau.de