Former Socceroo Robbie Slater is completely buzzing on the present crop’s success in Qatar, with Australia choosing up simply its third-ever World Cup victory in 18 makes an attempt.
Now, consideration turns to Denmark (Thursday 2am AEDT), the place a win – and doubtlessly a draw – will safe a berth within the Round of 16 for the second time (after Germany 2006).
Slater is aware of the Danes will current “a large job”, however he instructed the Fox Football Podcast: “I don’t learn about you guys, I’ve simply obtained this sense that perhaps we’re about to see one thing very particular.”
After a protracted and arduous highway to Qatar – the place reaching a fifth-straight World Cup last appeared extraordinarily unlikely at occasions – the Socceroos now stand getting ready to one thing ‘fairly extraordinary’.
Slater says: “It was so unimaginable, once you return to that final sport once we appeared deflated in opposition to Saudi Arabia within the qualifiers, and Japan right here at dwelling – to assume we’re on the cusp of one thing like that is fairly extraordinary actually, and an amazing story.”
Listen to the podcast under and skim on for Slater’s breakdown of the upcoming match!
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After reigning champions France confirmed their class in a snug 4-1 win over the Socceroos, Graham Arnold’s males rebounded in spectacular vogue to see out world No. 30 Tunisia 1-0.
But Slater is predicting an much more brutal battle with the world No. 10 aspect.
“Denmark is a large job. It’s a really, very troublesome job once you take a look at the 2 groups.
“I’ve watched Denmark’s two video games (in opposition to) Tunisia and France, and so they have been a bit unfortunate in each.”
“Their construction, their passing is excellent. (Brentford attacker Mikkel) Damsgaard is a superb participant. Their wingers are quick and direct, and (Manchester United’s Christian) Eriksen is the conductor.”
“We’ve obtained to place it once more in perspective,” he provides. “Denmark are a prime ten ranked staff, they’ve great gamers enjoying in one of the best leagues in Europe. They’ve obtained a sure Christian Eriksen who’s a magician.”
In 2018, the Socceroos and Denmark drew 1-1, with Denmark subsequently reaching the Round of 16 solely to fall on penalties to eventual runners-up Croatia.
This time round, the Danes go into the ultimate match-day of the group stage needing to beat the Socceroos to earn a spot within the knockouts.
Slater says: “That places them underneath strain … the worst factor they’ll do is panic. The smartest thing for us is the longer we are able to go with out them (scoring), the extra pissed off and panicked they’re going to turn into.
“The worst case state of affairs for us is that if they get an early purpose, then all of it adjustments.”
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Meanwhile, Australia may even undergo with a draw, as long as Tunisia doesn’t stun France. The reigning champions have already secured qualification due to consecutive group stage wins, giving them the chance to relaxation star gamers for the knockouts.
While Slater is predicting France will see off Tunisia, the “worst factor” the Socceroos can do is anticipate that to occur and chase a draw with Denmark.
“It’s laborious to see Tunisia beating France. France gained’t need to get crushed by (Tunisia). They have an enormous connection. They communicate French in Tunisia. There’s a number of Tunisians that play in France. That’s an enormous brother – little brother sport. If we take it that Tunisia don’t win, then we’d like the draw.
“But it’s harmful. You can’t go enjoying for a draw. That’d be the worst factor to do since you’re more likely to get crushed. You can invite strain. I believe you simply play the identical means we did in opposition to Tunisia. Try and discover that power to do it once more.”
Graham Arnold delivered a ‘tactical masterpiece’ in opposition to Tunisia, Slater says. But Denmark poses a vastly completely different menace.
“How can they be crushed? I believe you solely have to have a look at what they’ve performed up to now, what France and Tunisia did. So perhaps it’s a little bit of the identical as what we did in opposition to Tunisia,” Slater says.
“It’s not going to be (the identical) although, as a result of they’ve obtained completely different gamers. I believe Denmark will probably be adequate to mess around us if we press frequently the way in which we did in opposition to Tunisia.”
And he delivered a stern warning to the Australians.
“One factor it’s important to do is keep compact. So in the event you’re transferring up and down the pitch it’s obtained to be collectively. If you get stretched in opposition to Denmark they’ll kill us like France did.
“One of the issues that stood out in opposition to France was one-v-ones. You’re speaking about Mbappe and Dembele, however they killed us. Their wingers, Denmark, are superb as nicely. I believe (centre-backs Harry) Souttar and (Kye) Rowles turn into very essential in masking their fullbacks when the ball goes down one aspect or the opposite.”
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Slater joked that, have been he in Arnold’s footwear, his first act can be a easy one: “Pray.”
And regardless of predicting a protracted, powerful battle, Slater believes ‘one thing fairly particular’ will occur.
“Pain. It’s going to be painful. It’s going to be lengthy. And I hope on the finish of it, I hope it’s one thing fairly particular. But it’s going to be powerful. You take a look at Denmark and the staff they’ve, they comprehend it’s their final likelihood … they go in figuring out they need to win.
“By and enormous prime ten nations, when they should win, they’ll win. And that’s the hazard for us – in the event that they play at their prime stage. That’s what we’ve obtained to try to not permit them to do. That comes proper again to the start, of our mentality, our combating spirit, and upsetting them.”
