Several fitness worries for Danes

Published: 23 Jun 2010 - 18:40:03

Rss feed

Nicklas Bendtner, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Daniel Jensen are all struggling for fitness ahead of their crunch Group E clash against Japan on Thursday.

Bendtner played the full match in the Danes' 2-1 win over Cameroon while Tomasson was substituted after 86 minutes, however, Jensen did not feature.

Meanwhile, Japan coach Takeshi Okada has told his side that Bendtner is Denmark's talisman, saying: "We have to cover well, pick up loose balls and make sure we cut off the supply to Bendtner."

However, Okada has urged Japan to seize the "chance of a lifetime" with a place in the last 16 of the World Cup at stake.

The Blue Samurai need only a point in Rustenburg to join Holland, who edged out Japan 1-0 on Saturday, in qualifying for the knockout stage from the group due to their goal difference, which is superior to that of the Danes.

After losing 2-0 to Holland, Denmark kept their hopes alive at the weekend with a 2-1 comeback win to eliminate Cameroon.

"We have been provided the opportunity to reach the last 16 and this is the chance of a lifetime," said Okada. "Denmark gave me the impression of being a very strong, very organised outfit but we will just approach the game as we normally would."

Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen admits the injury problems have been a concern but hopes the worst is behind them.

He said: "It has been a worry but everyone came through the match and in the next couple of days we need to access things.

"We need everyone fit obviously but the people who have been injured, like Bendtner and Tomasson, looked ok. Hopefully we can play ourselves into shape."