TIRED AND TOOTHLESS
It’s a Welsh reality check as irresistible Eriksen provides the X-factor
RYAN GIGGS was handed a reality check after a week in which his swashbuckling style of play was likened to that of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Those comparisons came after his side’s comprehensive 4-1 win over the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff, though this defeat in Denmark was as straightforward as they come.
It came courtesy of a Christian Eriksen masterclass, with the Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder scoring in each half to settle this Nations League B Group 4 clash.
Eriksen brought the X-Factor, taking his tally to 15 goals in his last 18 games for the national team. The visitors, even with Gareth Bale up front, looked toothless and tired.
Wales managed a single shot on target after Bale was named captain for the first time and Giggs said: ‘ We took the plaudits on Thursday, now we’ve got to answer the questions after a defeat.
‘When you don’t get the press right, and Eriksen is free on the edge of the box, which is something we talked about, you’re in trouble. For the young players, it was a learning curve.’
Eriksen’s first strike was so precise it pinged off the post on its way in, leaving Wayne Hennessey with no chance. His second was cool and composed from the penalty spot.
Denmark’s manager Age Hareide summed it up best afterwards: ‘Technically, he is brilliant. Finishing, brilliant. Around the box, you are always looking for Christian.
‘I’ve seen so many teams try to knock him down but they just lose him.’
This clash came with plenty of pre-match controversies. An ugly dispute between the Danish FA and their players over commercial rights risked the Danes fielding a team of unknowns. Unfortunately for Wales, an agreement at the 11th hour meant the futsal players on standby were not needed.
Yet the 2,000-plus visiting fans did not let the Danish players off lightly as they sang: ‘You’re only here for the money’ and ‘Greedy b*******’ throughout.
Wales had their own problems too. Their private plane was grounded in Cardiff because of a technical fault, so the team got to their hotel in Aarhus in the early hours. Giggs insisted it was no excuse for their tired efforts.
Denmark broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute through an unmarked Eriksen (above) on the edge of the box. With his first touch, he set himself. With his second, he scored.
A lapse in concentration by Wales had cost them, with 17-yearold Ethan Ampadu the likeliest candidate who should have been covering Eriksen.
An hour in, Denmark were awarded a penalty after German referee Deniz Aytekin deemed that Chelsea’s Ampadu had moved his arm to block the ball. Aytekin ignored Welsh protests and Eriksen made no mistake.
While the Dane showed himself as a master of angles and movement, Bale barely had a sniff. One opportunity from a free-kick saw
him smash his shot into the wall, summing up his afternoon.
He later called for patience. ‘We have to look at the positives,’ Bale said. ‘We are still working on things. We have to keep going.’
Eriksen could have secured his hat-trick with a 30-yard effort in stoppage time but Hennessey, who produced several stellar saves, denied him the match ball.
But Wales left Aarhus having been brought back down to earth. DENMARK (4-3-3): Schmeichel 7.5; Dalsgaard 7, Jorgensen 7, Kjaer 7.5, Stryger Larsen 7; ERIKSEN 8.5, Schone 8, Delaney 7.5; Poulsen 7 (Cornelius 86), Braithwaite 7, Sisto 6 (Fischer 45, 7). Subs not used: Lossl, Ronnow, Boilesen, Vestergaard, Knudsen, Norgaard, Christensen, Christiansen, Jensen, Lerager. Scorer: Eriksen 32, 63 pen. Booked: Schmeichel. Manager: Age Hareide 7.5. WALES (4-2-3-1): Hennessey 6.5; Gunter 5.5, Chester 6, Mepham 6, B Davies 6; Allen 5.5, Ampadu 5 (T Roberts 71, 6); C Roberts 5.5 (Brooks 59, 6), Ramsey 6, Lawrence 5.5 (Woodburn 79); Bale 6. Subs not used: Ward, A Davies, Dummett, King, Vokes, Ledley, Wilson, Lockyer, Smith. Booked: Davies, Allen. Manager: Ryan Giggs 5.5. Referee: Deniz Aytekin (Germany) 5.5. Attendance: 17,506.