ACTUALITE |
27.05.2002
Denmark 2 Tunisia 1
Denmark celebrated the tenth anniversary of their European Championship victory by beating Tunisia on Sunday, although the match revealed surprising flaws in their defence and problems acclimatising to the stifling heat in the Far East.
Morten Olsen`s side impressed when they had the ball in the attacking third and dominated the game as a result, but centre-backs Rene Henriksen, who was a groin problem, and Martin Laursen looked weaker than ever in national-team colours.
Right-back Thomas Helveg also failed to convince, while the midfield provided little cover, with Bolton star Stig Tofting once again struggling to find his best form.
Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen saved Denmark on several occasions, including three in one-on-one situations with Tunisia strikers.
Denmark began well and, after a couple of shots had cleared the Africans` bar, Jesper Gronkjaer ran down the left on to a fine pass from Thomas Gravesen.
Three opponents surrounded the Chelsea winger, but he twisted niftily into the area, before hitting a flat shot into the far corner.
The Danes looked increasingly dangerous and Dennis Rommedahl, twice, and Ebbe Sand had good opportunities to extend the lead before half-time.
Tunisia upped the tempo at the start of the second period and equalised on 62 minutes after a spell of pressure during which Denmark failed to create a single opportunity of their own.
Henriksen was tricked near the by-line and, when the cross came in, a completely free Jaziri made it 1-1, despite Sorensen`s valiant attempt to keep out the shot.
Denmark tired rapidly as the second half progressed, but their best player on the day, Gronkjaer, found strength for a dash down the left in the 67th minute.
His fine centre dropped on to Ebbe Sand`s head and the Schalke 04 forward headed neatly inside the near post.
Denmark went looking for a clincher and Jon Dahl Tomasson had a clever attempt saved by Boumnijel, before the goalkeeper also blocked magificently from substitute Peter Madsen in the dying minutes.
Both coaches were left with much to ponder at the final whistle, with the Danes looking cumbersome at the back and Tunisia lacking confidence in their game as a whole with just a week to go before the World Cup.
Denmark: Sorensen, Helveg, Laursen (Poulsen 63) Henriksen (Lustu 63) Heintze, Tofting (C Jensen 69) Gravesen, Rommedahl, Gronkjaer, Tomasson, Sand (Madsen 86)
Tunisia: Ali Boumnijel, Khaled Badra, Radhi Jaidi, Emir Mkadmi, Mohamed Mkacher, Zoubeir Baya, Hassen Gabsi, Kaies Ghodhbane, Imed Mhedhebi, Riadh Jelassi, Adel
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