Denmark 3-0 Malta: Bendtner & Tomasson's Absence Not Missed...

Denmark tonight went two points clear at the top of Group One.

Their 3-0 win over minnows Malta, combined with other results going their way steered them two points clear.

In [Parken], the Danes were clearly the better side and at no point during the match did the opposition threaten.

The Danes were totally dominant from the word go. Especially in the first 25 minutes, where they gave Malta a huge footballing lesson in smooth, offensive football. The two full backs, Kasper Bøgelund and Thomas Rasmussen, attacked and attacked down the flanks and were a constant threat everytime they were in possession of the ball.

Early goal

After barely ten minutes, the early domination paid off. Daniel Jensen released Søren Larsen and the Toulouse striker smartly guided the ball passed the on-rushing 'keeper to make it 1-0.

A few minutes later, it was almost 2-0. A superb cross from Bøgelund, found Larsen with time and space to pick his spot, but he dragged his effort woefully wide.

Denmark came back at them though, and Bøgelund supplied another superb cross. This time, it was Kahlenberg who found himself in acres of space but again, a woeful attempt on goal and the score stayed at 1-0.

Penalty

On 28 minutes, Liverpool's Daniel Agger was clattered into following a corner. The referee didn't hesitate to point to the spot and Agger picked himself up, to fire home the spotkick, calmly sending the 'keeper the wrong way. 

This gave the Danes extra motivation to increase the tempo of the game after it had died down following the early pressure.

The second half was barely underway, when Bøgelund again charged down the flank and with classic "Brian Laudrup move" he faked the cross and cut inside before supplying a through ball that Larsen ran onto and easily made it 3-0.

Daniel Agger and Christian Poulsen both saw chances go begging, when their efforts was stopped by good saves.

Disallowed goal

After 55 minutes, Morten Nordstrand found Rommedahl with a peach of a pass. He in turn centered the ball, but it was just out of reach from the on-rushing Larsen.

The ball instead fell to Poulsen, who with an elegant pass found Rommedahl again, who in turn fired past the 'keeper to make it 4-0.

The linesman had his flag up though and the goal was chalked off. On closer look, it was an incorrect call and it would seem that Rommedahl quickness fooled the linesman.

Had the goal stood, it would have been a fantastic one with superb interchanges, quick feet and off the ball movement.

On 76 minutes, Larsen was substitued and went off to a standing ovation. With Bendtner and Tomasson out injured, he surely stepped up to the plate. He was replaced by debutant Morten "Duncan" Rasmussen.

Reaction

Coach Olsen was a relieved man when he admitted he had fears, the potential "banana skin" would not go as smoothly as anticipated, after he had been hounded by Danish media all week.

"We had discussed before the game, that we needed to play concentrated and pressure football. If we did that, I was very confident we would demolish the opposition. 

We didn't make them look better than they were, but we should have scored three or four goals more, thats how many chances we created for ourselves.

We had everything to lose in such a game, where the opposition turns up and defends for 90 minutes. They were hoping to catch us on an off day, like the night in Hungary but they were disappointed and hardly put up any fight," Olsen said.

Man of the Match

Kasper Bøgelund easily ran away with the Man of the Match award. Two assists and a hand in the penalty, when he supplied the corner. Søren Larsen ran him close with an effecient perfomance and a brace to show for it.

Other matches

Sweden and Portugal played out an entertaining 0-0 draw, with Sweden and Bolton's Elmander in particular guilty of missing a host of chances.

Hungary beat Albania 2-0, with goals from Torghelle and Juhasz.

This leaves Group One pretty much wide open.

Group One

1. Denmark -- 7 points

2. Sweden -- 5 points

3. Portugal -- 4 points

4. Albania -- 4 points

5. Hungary -- 4 points

6. Malta - 0 points