Denmark are facing a serious prospect of getting eliminated from the group stages if they do not win against Australia in the final group stage game.
The Socceroos picked up a vital win over Tunisia to keep their knockout hopes alive while Kasper Hjulmand’s side went down 2-1 to France.
AUS vs DEN Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Time: 16:00 (AST) / 18:30 (IST)
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
AUS vs DEN Match Preview
Both Australia and Denmark have been vocal about their concern about the human rights abuses in the host nation with the latter wearing a special kit for it in this tournament. The Socceroos made a team video of it prior to the tournament too. Now, both square off in the final match of the group stage with a place in the knockouts at stake. For Australia, they took the lead in their first game against France in the hope to pull off a surprise against the champions. It wasn’t to be as Les blues roared back scoring four goals in the comeback victory. However, Graham Arnold’s side took only the positives from the game and took the lead again through Mitchell Duke against Tunisia in the second group stage game. This time they manage to hold on to it securing a much-needed win that leaves them needing only a draw in the last game to move into the round of 16. Even if Tunisia win against France, the head-to-head will benefit the Socceroos anyway. Also, Denmark have managed to get only one point from their two games so far. Australia are placed second on the table above the Danes holding the last qualification spot. The advantage is theirs to take but the sub-par record of the Socceroos against European nations in the World Cup could trouble them with eight in 11 such meetings. 2006 was the last edition Australia went through the group stages and it is the only time they managed the feet in competition history. But Denmark’s unconvincing form this time and the 1-1 draw against them four years ago could give the Asian nation enough inspiration to take them through.
After qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in tremendous fashion and being handed a less challenging group in the main tournament, Denmark did not expect their faith to hang in balance for the final group stage game. Normally the favourites to advance from the group, Kasper Hjulmand’s side struggled to find a way to break Tunisia’s rock-solid defence with Kasper Schmeichel saving the honour for his team as well in the goalless draw in the first match. France used the same strategy to nullify the Danish attack which is lacking a lethal number nine, using their star forward on the counter to inflict a 2-1 loss. Andreas Christensen managed to equalise from the corner in the hope to grab another point but the holders retook the lead leaving Denmark all to do in their last game against Australia. Taking only a solitary point out of two matches is not helpful considering the Socceroos won their game against Tunisia. Despite that, Kasper Hjulmand’s side will be optimistic to take on their final group stage game opponents with three wins out of the last four clashes against them. But first, they have to end a five-game winless run in the World Cup to move out of the group stages for the fifth time in six appearances. The loss to France was their fourth loss in all competitions this year although they have registered five wins and a draw too. After a sparkling run to the semi-finals of Euro 2020 last year, a group-stage exit in the 2022 World Cup will be a huge decline for this Danish team.
Recent Form (World Cup)
AUS: LW
DEN: DL
AUS vs DEN Team News
Right-back Nathan Atkinson missed the win against Tunisia for a knock to his ankle in the group opener against France. Fran Karacic started in his place and will retain his duties as Graham Arnold is unexpected to make any changes to the starting eleven. He could, however, tweak the formation for more solidity as they only need a draw to secure a place in the knockouts.
Check here Australia’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: Australia - World Cup Records and Stats
Denmark lost Thomas Delaney for the rest of the tournament in the opening match due to a knee injury. As a result, Christian Eriksen drops back into the pivot with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mikkel Damsgaard starting out wide on the left-hand side in the previous game. Captain Simon Kjaer will return back into the starting eleven to replace Victor Nelsson so will Andreas Skov Olsen in the forward line. Kasper Dolberg should start as the number nine here ahead of Andreas Cornelius.
Check here Denmark’s Squad for FIFA World Cup 2022 & Team Profile and FIFA World Cup 2022: Denmark - World Cup Records and Stats
AUS vs DEN Predicted Lineups
AUS: Mat Ryan; Fran Karacic, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Aziz Behich; Matthew Leckie, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy, Riley McGree, Craig Goodwin; Mitchell Duke
DEN: Kasper Schmeichel; Jaochim Andersen, Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen; Rasmus Kristensen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Christian Eriksen, Joakim Maehle; Skov Olsen, Kasper Dolberg, Mikkel Damsgaard
AUS vs DEN Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Schmeichel (8.5)
DEF: Andersen (8), Rowles (6.5), Christensen (8.5), Maehle (9)
MID: Eriksen (9), Hojbjerg (8.5), Mooy (8), Goodwin (8)
FW: Dolberg (8.5), Duke (8)
Vice-captain: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg
Captain: Christian Eriksen
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