Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group C - Denmark Team Review

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Denmark

FIFA World Ranking: 12
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 2.00
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 0.80
Qualifying Top Scorer: Christian Eriksen (11)
World Cup Best Performance: Quarter Finals (1998)

Group C Opponents: Australia, France and Peru


The Manager: Âge Hareide
Hugely successful in Scandinavia, having won the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian leagues, Norwegian native Hareide is having his second spell at the helm of an international side having taken charge of Norway between 2003 and 2008. Following in the footsteps of Martin Olssen who was in the hot-seat for 15 years, Hareide seems to be warming to the task after a slow start. Denmark certainly improved as the Group stages went on, peaking with a 4-0 thrashing of Poland and the 5-1 qualifying win over Ireland. If Hareide can build on this upward curve headed into the tournament, his side may well outperform expectations.


The Squad:
A famous name in goal with Kasper – son of Peter – Schmeichel taking his place between the sticks. His father was part of the side which shocked the world whe winning the European Championships and Danish fans will be hoping having Kasper in the side may prove to be a luck omen.

Sevilla’s Simon Kjaer and Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen provide genuine quality in what is often a back three. A record of eight goals conceded from 10 games was the best record in their qualifying group and the Danes do generally look solid at the back.

Christian Eriksen is the class act in midfield but is ably supported by the impressive Thomas Delaney of Werder Bremen. The mercurial Pione Sisto provides variety with his at times electrifying dribbling skills. Like many players of his type though, consistency is not a strong point.

Nicklas Bendtner, Andreas Cornelius and Nicolai Jorgensen provide a similar threat as the target man up front, with Jorgensen seeming most likely to get the nod. The one-dimensional nature of their centre forward options may however make things a little difficult should Hareide need to come up with a plan B.


Star Man: Christian Eriksen
Previously more associated with his eye for a killer pass and numerous assists, the Tottenham man suddenly became prolific for Denmark in qualifying, netting an impressive eleven goals in total, including a hat-trick in the crucial qualification play-off against Ireland. World class on his day, Eriksen arrives on the back of a fine season in the Premier League and is undoubtedly the shining light in this Denmark side.


Outlook:
Denmark don’t possess anything like the same strength in depth as France but do look a cohesive unit who are strong in the team spirit department and can at least be expected to give Les Bleus a game. They do appear to be comfortably stronger than both Peru and Australia though and can make it through to the knockout stages.


Group C Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2459.0

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