Published: Today at 18:51
MICHAEL KROHN-DELHI'S winner defied Dutch domination to provide the first major shock of Euro 2012.
Related Stories
Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben led Holland's procession of misses either side of the Denmark striker's 24th minute clincher.
Danish defender Daniel Agger saw his second-minute flick-header held by Maarten Stekelenburg before relaxed Dutch passing took almost total control.
Van Persie hooked wide from 12 yards and Robben cut inside for a low shot foiled by Stephan Andersen as classy pre-tournament tips Holland looked certain to break through.
But instead Krohn-Delhi's fourth goal in six games defied the tide of play.
Simon Poulsen's attempted cross ricocheted back for the Danish hitman to snake into the left of the box and drill home through Stekelenburg's legs.
Holland briefly reeled but soon resumed their domination of chances and possession.
Robben remained their liveliest first-half menace, initially down the right, then on the opposite flank.
And it was the Bayern Munich winger who dashed onto keeper Andersen's poor pass-out, weaved into space and curved a left-footer off the post.
Ibrahim Afellay's long-ranger was just wide as Denmark continued to defend in depth.
But the Danes stretched Holland a few times on the break just before the interval, the impressive Krohn-Delhi conjuring a low drive well held by Stekelenburg.
Van Persie, though, should certainly have levelled on 43 minutes.
Wesley Sneijder slotted he ball across to the Premier League's double player-of-the-year in ample space near the penalty spot. But Van Persie controlled horribly with his left foot and his hurried shot from his second touch was smothered by Andersen.
Holland upgraded their superiority to an urgent peppering of the Denmark goal straight after the interval.
Van Persie fumbled Robben's inviting pass, then saw Andersen thwart his sharp turn and snap-shot.
Sneijder grew in influence as Holland dictated play.
And a 25-yard stinger from fellow midfielder Mark van Bommel provoked the save of the game from Andersen, a flying tip-round to his right.
Dutch hitman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar finally came on to address his side's string of misses.
And his impact was almost immediate.
Sneijder's majestic long pass, with the outside of his right foot, left the substitute controlling deftly but seeing his 75th minute shot blocked by the onrushing Andersen. The Danish keeper was then rescued by referee Damir Skomina when van Persie challenged robustly for the rebound.
Denmark's defending gained a degree of composure late on as Holland lost much of their rhythm.
But still Robben burst through to angle a drive high and wide when he should have looked for a team-mate.
Denmark then survived strong penalty appeals and a late siege to seal one of their most famous victories ever.
Holland: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel (Kuyt 84), Heitinga, Vlaar, Willems, Van Bommel, Nigel De Jong (Van der Vaart 71), Robben, Sneijder, Afellay (Huntelaar 71), van Persie. Subs Not Used: Vorm, Mathijsen, Bouma, Schaars, Strootman, Luuk De Jong, Narsingh, Boulahrouz, Krul.
Booked: Van Bommel.
Denmark: Andersen, Jacobsen, Kjaer, Agger, Simon Poulsen, Kvist Jorgensen, Zimling, Rommedahl (Mikkelsen 83), Eriksen (Schone 74), Krohn-Delhi, Bendtner. Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Christian Poulsen, Bjelland, Okore, Silberbauer, Pedersen, Wass, Jakob Poulsen, Kahlenberg, Schmeichel.
Booked: Simon Poulsen, Kvist Jorgensen.
Goals: Krohn-Delhi 24.
Att: 34,973
Ref: Damir Skomina (Slovenia).
No comments:
Post a Comment