Football, World Cup | Denmark ready for the World Cup in Qatar: -Now they are talking about winning it
The next day in Germany became the first team to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, followed by Denmark. 1-0 over Austria lit fire at the Park once again.
Eight matches, like many victories, and 27-0 in goal score are the fantastic numbers for the Danish favorites who this summer made it all the way to the semifinals in the European Championship play-offs.
– It is a deserved euphoria around the team, and I think they will challenge on that wave. They are among the best national teams, and they have the prerequisites to take the next step. Now they are talking openly in Denmark about not just coming to the championships, but winning them, when Ståle Solbakken when he was asked on Sunday about the Danes’ success.
Denmark had to wait a while for a draw against an Austrian team that defended itself fiercely, but in the 53rd minute it was time for Danish home cheers again. Thomas Delaney raided from the center line, pulled off one opponent after another and pushed to the final balls out to an overlapping Joakim Mæhle, who alone could shoot it in the near corner.
The goal was VAR-checked for possible offside on Mæhle, but there was little doubt that it should be approved.
To heaven
In the first half, Mikkel Damsgaard and Andreas Skov Olsen forced goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann to two great saves. Damsgaard had to go out with injury before the break. In came striker Kasper Dolberg in search of goal, but it was instead the dangerous hill Mæhle who sent the Danes to heaven.
The Atalanta player now has five goals in his last nine internationals.
– This means a lot. It was not the best match we have wasted, but it was important that we won. Now we have to celebrate, Mæhle told Kanal 5.
– Playing for the national team is not a job, it is a pleasure. I do not think I have had more than three saves in entire qualifications, as goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for Discovery.
– We have created something unique, something we can be proud of, in Delaney, which can be named the best on the field.
Denmark has been completely superior in a group that also includes Scotland, Israel, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Moldova.
Extreme width
– Denmark has an extreme breadth in its squad and a talent pool they have not had in a hundred years. I’m not surprised at what they do. I probably do not offend anyone when I say that they have not come in the most difficult group, says Solbakken.
– They have a very skilled coach and a good culture which started with Åge (Hareide) and which Kasper Hjulmand has built on. They have guiding stars in the biggest clubs and an arsenal of young, forward-thinking players in all positions, really.
While Denmark is ready for the World Cup, Scotland is in for a rematch as group runner-up, after Lyndon Dykes won the match away against the Faroe Islands in the 86th minute.
Austria can not become number one, but will probably play as one of the best group winners from the national league who does not end up among the first in its qualifying group.
(© NTB)