World Cup: Leckie makes it lekker as the men from Down Under rise to the top
Level on points with France, Australia secures a place in the knockouts for the first time since 2006
DENMARK paid the price for not being upfront against Australia in their vital Group D encounter on Wednesday night.
France were already through and one of Australia, Denmark and Tunisia would fight for the other qualifying place for the Round of 16.
With such a prize at stake, why on earth would Denmark put so little into attacking options?! Two points behind Australia, the Danes knew only a win would do.
They clearly had the better ensemble of players but seemed to lack the trust in them as well as the daring to throw men forward.
And they showed from the start that they could boss possession, but did precious little with it.
Final stats would show that Australia won 1-0 with only a one third share of the ball.
Scandinavian nations are associated with brave Vikings, historically raiding and pillaging.
Not this bunch, who will only go down in history as the team that came stone last in their group, managing to score only one goal in three games.
Playing conservatively will never win a World Cup; it’s the bold that succeed.
Even when level 0-0 at half time, they still did not come out with any more ferociousness, and they were lambs led to the slaughter.
Well, not quite a slaughter, but the men from the land of a billion sheep needed only one goal to win the fixture and the prized place in the knockout phase.
That goal came courtesy of Mathew Leckie who, with no visible support, had no option but to go it alone, which he did with a tenacious run and a fine finish.
My maths is not that great, but one goal beats 10 refusals to push men forward.
Denmark did wake up eventually and threw all they had at the Socceroos for the last 15 minutes, but the doggedness of the men at the back in yellow and green meant is was too little, too late.
Party time in the wee wee hours in Australian streets, from Perth to Parramatta, as they end level on points with France and a place in the knockouts for the first time since 2006.
That’s what a Mat finish can do.
