Lars Sondergaard stated the stress is on co-hosts Australia in entrance of a packed home.
Denmark have reached the final 16 for the primary time in 28 years after securing a 2-0 win over debutants Haiti to take second place in Group D behind England.
They will face Australia in entrance of a partisan sellout crowd in Sydney tonight, however Sondergaard stated: “Anything can be decided in those kinds of cup games, anything can happen.
“We have a pretty good defence, we have a player like Pernille (Harder) who can decide games.
“So we have a pretty good chance. We know it is going to be difficult but we are looking forward to the game. We are going to see it as a fantastic experience.
“The whole nation are standing behind them. That’s important for them, but it could also be pressure when the game goes into the second half and it’s still 0-0, and anything can happen.”
Forget any celebration plans for the Matildas – it’s Denmark who might be having its personal ‘party’ after knocking the hosts out, in keeping with Sondergaard, whose group has no intention of exiting the match on the round-of-16 stage at Stadium Australia.
“We’re going to have our own party if we succeed in ruining a party, and that part is fine for me,” Sondergaard stated.
“Of course it’s going to be a difficult game but we see chances, and we’re living in this dream and we want to continue living there as long as possible, even until the final day of the tournament.
“As a small country as well, we’re used to being underdogs when we play against the big nations.
“Australia as a home team with a lot of spectators behind them could be said to be favourites and we’re fine with it.
“We want to surprise against them, and we also think – that’s the most important thing – that we can do it.”
Skipper Harder, the undoubted star of the Denmark group and whose first-half penalty put them on the best way to victory over Haiti, stated her aspect won’t accept merely reaching the final 16.
“I’m so proud of the girls, proud of the team that we made it through the group stages,” stated the Bayern Munich attacker.
“It’s a long time since a Danish team did that at the World Cup so I couldn’t be more proud for the hard work that we put in and I am also excited for the next game.
“It’ll be a full stadium with a lot of Australians in it, so it will be an experience for us and it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Australia’s skipper and talismanic striker Sam Kerr is predicted to return from a calf harm to make her debut at this World Cup but it surely stays a thriller how a lot time she is going to spend on the sector.
Harder is aware of Kerr effectively, having performed together with her at Chelsea earlier than her latest transfer to Germany.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her, but not playing against her,” she stated.
Australia beat Denmark 3-1 in a pleasant final yr, however Tony Gustavsson’s group might be cautious of the menace posed by a aspect that pushed European champions England arduous in a 1-0 group stage loss.
Other than Kerr, Australia even have harm worries, with each striker Kyah Simon and winger Cortnee Vine to be assessed earlier than kick-off.
Originally printed as Matildas vs Denmark kick off time FIFA World Cup 2023: Sam Kerr health stays a thriller
Source: www.news.com.au
