Draw against Denmark gives Socceroos a new lease of life

Mile Jedinak has a knack for penalty kicks and his strategy is beyond simple.

“Just to get that ball in the back in the net,” the Australia captain said after converting from the spot to give Australia a 1-1 draw against Denmark and new life at the World Cup.

The 38th-minute penalty was set up after Denmark forward Yussuf Poulsen was called for a handball following a video review. Poulsen was also cautioned by the referee and will be suspended for the team’s final group match against France because of yellow card accumulation.

The goal was Jedinak’s second from the spot at this year’s World Cup, and it snapped Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s five-match streak of shutouts for the Danes.

“It’s more just composing and staying concentrated, regardless of the situation, regardless of where you’re standing and regardless of what’s going on around you,” said Jedinak, who has converted 16 straight penalties.

Christian Eriksen scored in the opening minutes for Denmark, who have gone unbeaten in 17 straight international matches.

Going into the tournament at No 36, Australia were the lowestranked team in Group C with the others all in the top 12.

With a loss to France in the opener, a defeat would have made it nearly impossible for the Socceroos to advance to the next stage. Denmark, meanwhile, won their first match against Peru.

In the later group match France’s 1-0 victory eliminated Peru while securing a spot in the knockout round for the French.

Australia lost to 1998 World Cup champion France 2-1 last Sunday in Kazan, with both French goals a result of video technology. But the score didn’t reflect the Socceroos’ gritty defensive performance.

Australia again took a defensive stand against Denmark, who were back at the World Cup after missing out on the tournament in Brazil. The Danes were coming off a 1-0 victory over Peru last Saturday in Saransk.

It is the fifth World Cup appearance for the Danes, who reached the quarter-finals in 1998.

Australia were also making a fifth trip to the World Cup. The team’s best showing was in the 2006 quarterfinals.

Moments after Mathew Leckie’s early header for Australia sailed over the goal, Eriksen sent a left-footed shot over goalkeeper Mathew Ryan’s outstretched arms.

The Danes held the lead until the yellow on Poulsen, which was not without controversy.

Australia added some firepower in the 68th, bringing on 19-year-old Daniel Arzani as both teams scrambled for a winning goal.

AP