Kasper will help to make sure Danes have ghost of a chance

KASPER Schmeichel has been backed to keep Denmark’s World Cup hopes alive today at the expense of highly-fancied Croatia.

The Croatians go into the last-16 tie in Nizhny Novgorod as one of only three countries to gain maximum points in the group stage, but Danish coach Åge Hareide’s resilient team are in no mood to exit the tournament with their second ever World Cup quarterfinal place at stake.

Although the Danes have ridden their luck at times, Schmeichel has been one of their standout players.

Denmark skipper Simon Kjaer expects the Leicester City keeper to be Mr Reliable again today when the surprise 1982 European champions, who featured Kasper’s father Peter, take on Luka Modric and Co.

‘Kasper is hugely important for the team both on and off the pitch,’ said Kjaer.

‘That Kasper has performed at the level he has is no surprise to us. He’s a top keeper and he’s proving it when it matters most.

‘Getting to the knockout stage is so huge. But we are not satisfied just to have got this far. We don’t have too many weaknesses.’

Denmark have not lost in 18 games and have conceded just one goal in the process. But Hareide insists today’s encounter will not just be a case of Denmark’s tight defence against Croatia’s dangerous attack.

‘The Croatians have a fantastic midfield and have probably been the best team in the tournament,’ said Hareide. ‘We know they have very skilful players and are flexible but you will see a different Denmark. We need to attack more and we will.’

Hareide said there are no plans to nullify Real Madrid’s Modric, arguably the best midfield player of the tournament to date.

‘He’s a wonderful player but they have other skilful players and we need to handle him collectively. Whoever plays the smartest will progress.’

Denmark have their own superstar in Tottenham’s Christian Eriksson.

‘It could end up being a match between Modric and Eriksson,’ said Hareide. ‘That would be interesting — especially for the fans.’