Danish star issues World Cup warning ahead of crucial clash with Socceroos

DANISH star Thomas Delaney knows he will be facing a fired-up Australia when the two teams clash on Thursday night, but the midfield linchpin issued a warning of his own to the Socceroos.

SARANSK, RUSSIA — JUNE 16: Thomas Delaney of Denmark shoot at goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Peru and Denmark at Mordovia Arena on June 16, 2018 in Saransk, Russia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

DANISH midfield linchpin Thomas Delaney knows he will be facing a fired-up Australia when the two teams clash on Thursday (10pm AEST), with the fate of the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign now hanging on the game.

“We know for Australia it’s the most important game in the group for them to get three points from us,’’ Delaney said.

Denmark has now retreated to the Black Sea resort town of Anapa to prepare for the game after escaping Saransk on Sunday with a fortuitous 1-0 win against an unlucky Peru.

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Thomas Delaney in action for Denmark during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group C match between Peru and Denmark.

Delaney watched Australia’s opening game defeat by France and was impressed by what he saw but expects a contrast to the rapid-fire game played by Peru and their “speed and technical quality’’.

“I see Australia a little bit more like us,’’ he said. “They have this European approach where they want to play football but they are still big guys.’’

He said Denmark would be similarly approaching the game at full-tilt, knowing a win will almost certainly mean qualification for the Danes.

“We had a good start point wise so we go full ahead for that win.’’

Delaney is expecting a crash course in learning more about Australian strengths and weaknesses this week from coach Age Hareid.

He said he was familiar with Australian midfield heartbeat Aaron Mooy because he watched Huddersfield games because Danish team mates Mathias Jorgensen and Jonas Lossl play there. He also mentioned captain Mile Jedinak and played against Mat Ryan in the Champions League in 2014 when the keeper was at Club Brugge and the Dane was playing for FC Copenhagen.

In what could be a good omen for Australia, Ryan prevailed on that occasion and Delaney remembers a “quick keeper who is good with the feet’’.

Delaney, who after the World Cup, will complete a $31 million transfer from Werder Bremen to Borussia Dortmund, is a key cog in the Danish machine playing as one of two holding midfielders, albeit a goal threat as well with his ability to strike the ball from distance.

The Socceroos arrive for training the day after their loss to France. Interestingly, police sectioned off four sections of a public path so they could walk through undisturbed. pic.twitter.com/MtG5A5IVtP

— Huw Bonello (@Huw_Bonello) June 17, 2018

However, his usual midfield partner William Kvist who started against Peru is likely out of the World Cup after breaking a rib in a challenge with Jefferson Farfan in Sunday’s game. In better news Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen is likely to be fit to play against Australia after being taken off with cramp against Australia.

Delaney predicts a better performance by the Danes against Australia.

“We need to sharpen up,’’ he said. “If we win I don’t care how we play but we want to have a little bit different approach to the game.

“The first half (against Peru) was not how we want to play, the second half before the goal we start hitting our level then when we scored we fell back into a nervous position.’’

However, the win against Peru means it is now 16 games since Denmark last tasted defeat and five games since anyone scored against them.

Originally published as Danish star issues World Cup warning ahead of crucial clash with Socceroos