Danish left with food for thought

Denmark coach Morten Olsen has warned Ireland that their fast-paced game will not be suited to the intense heat at this summer's World Cup. While admiring Ireland's 3-0 defeat of the Danes last night, Olsen believes Mick McCarthy's team must reassess their game plan for the finals in Japan and Korea.

"I must say that the Irish players were better in all aspects," said Olsen. "We can't be satisfied in any way. It was a difficult match, under hard conditions, which showed that the Irishmen were better at handling the ball. We slept away the first 30 minutes and it just wasn't good enough.

"We've got problems, but Ireland won't be able to keep up that pace in Japan and South Korea because of the heat. But they are good, no doubt about that, and they beat Russia 2-0." The Danes were hampered by the absences of key players Thomas Gravesen, Stig Tofting, Thomas Helveg, Martin Jorgensen and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

"Some players clearly had an off-day," Olsen added, "but it's always out of all the negative stuff you have to find the positive things. You also know that one can't change five regulars without feeling it. We didn't win the duels, and I think a lot of players were surprised by the pressure from the Irish players. Ireland were also better technically than us, they reacted faster and turned faster."

Danish newspapers reacted angrily to the drubbing. "There is plenty of reason for the furrows in Olsen's brow after the humiliation at Lansdowne Road," the daily EkstraBladet said.

"Morten Olsen has got a lot to think about with just two months to go before the World Cup kicks off," said the daily Berlingske Tidende (BT).

"The match was the worst ever under Morten Olsen (head coach since July 1st, 2000) and revealed that Denmark without their strongest line-up are far from World Cup class," said the daily Politiken.

"The Far East looks further away than ever before as a success destination," said BT.

Denmark are drawn with France, Uruguay and Senegal in Group A of this summer's tournament.

The Danish newspapers were especially critical of right back Thomas Rytter, whom commentators said Damien Duff had fooled at his leisure. "Rytter appeared nervous. . . several times he blindly rushed the ball out over the sideline whenever an Irishman came close," BT said.

Describing the Wolfsburg defender as a stiff statue, B.T. said the match must have been Rytter's first, last and only trial for the national team and that he could now prepare to watch the World Cup on television at home. Rytter was given the chance in the absence of injured regular right back Thomas Helveg of AC Milan.

"Established names such as Rene Henriksen and Ebbe Sand were also light years from their ordinary level," B.T. said, referring to the Panathinaikos central defender and Schalke striker.

Denmark's only player to earn unequivocal praise was Sunderland goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for his phenomenal saves.