DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Denmark has been right here earlier than.The Danes face a tense, must-win recreation on the World Cup to make it by way of to the knockout stage, much like what they wanted to do eventually yr’s European Championship.In actual fact, it was a lot worse at Euro 2020 when Denmark misplaced its first two video games whereas the squad was nonetheless making an attempt to deal with the trauma of teammate Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest on the sector within the first match towards Finland.All appeared misplaced. However Denmark beat Russia 4-1 in its closing group recreation utilizing Eriksen as an inspiration, certified on objective distinction, and made all of it the best way to the semifinals.“We positively carry that with us,” Denmark ahead Andreas Cornelius mentioned after Saturday’s 2-1 loss to defending champion France on the World Cup left Denmark needing to beat Australia within the final set of Group D video games to advance.Eriksen is again with Denmark on the World Cup and taking part in at a significant worldwide event for the primary time since that day in Copenhagen, when a rustic and far of the soccer world watched on in horror as he lay lifeless on the sector. Medics used a defibrillator to restart his coronary heart and save his life.Cornelius was a substitute and sitting on the bench when Eriksen collapsed. Whereas horrible on the time, that have has molded this Denmark staff and has given it the resilience it’s going to want towards an upbeat Aussie staff, he mentioned.“Many issues occurred within the Euros,” Cornelius mentioned. “The primary recreation and all that. After which we got here again and made it to the knockout video games. It doesn’t actually matter the way you get by way of, simply as lengthy we get by way of.”The duty on the World Cup doesn’t appear as determined. Australia, which has three factors, can advance with solely a draw whereas Denmark, with one level, must win to have the prospect to make it to the final 16. The Danes may nonetheless exit on objective distinction if France is stunned by Tunisia.With that decisive Australia recreation in thoughts, Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand bought all his gamers collectively in a giant circle within the middle of the sector after the loss to France at Stadium 974 and spoke to them.“I believe it’s essential that we glance one another within the eyes. Particularly if you lose,” Hjulmand mentioned. “It’s one thing we all the time do, win or lose. Now, the case is obvious. We should win the (Australia) match and we deal with that.”And Eriksen, Denmark’s key midfield playmaker, is again together with his staff and able to assist.“We had zero factors within the first two video games on the Euros,” Hjulmand mentioned. “We nonetheless have hope.”___
Denmark calls on Euro 2020, Eriksen expertise at World Cup
