Jedinak levels but Australia can only draw with Denmark

AFP  |  Samara 

hit a second-half VAR-assisted penalty to secure a 1-1 draw with on Thursday that left the Socceroos' last-16 hopes hanging by a thread.

battled back impressively after Christian Eriksen's seventh-minute opener but were unable to find a way past from open play despite dominating a pulsating second half.

The result leaves on four points and with just a single point after two games apiece.

Tottenham Eriksen, identified as the dangerman by Australia in the run-up to the game, showed sublime technique to finish after Nicolai Jorgensen's neat lay-off in the area. Australia's response was impressive but with just one point from two games the Socceroos' chances of advancing in now appear slim.

Eriksen's early opener was a body blow for Australia but they were given a lifeline when an outswinging corner seemed destined for the head of Hertha Berlin winger but came off the arm of Yussuf Poulsen.

The front man had been Denmark's hero with the matchwinner against but was adjudged to have handled the ball and the referee consulted the Referee system before pointing to the spot.

Jidenak, who had scored a penalty against France, stepped up to fire easily past Schmeichel in the 38th minute.

Eriksen's free kick caused mayhem in the box just minutes later, with Mat Ryan collecting in relief after the ball came off the leg of a yard from the goalline.

The Socceroos were quickly into their strde after the restart, only for Pione Sisto to curl just wide of Ryan's goal.

Yet Australia went on to dominate a second half that saw and late substitute go agonisingly close.

Van Marwijk, who replaced at the helm of the Australian team in January, handed 19-year-old Arzani another chance to impress after a late cameo appearance against

With practically his first touch, the teenager set up Huddersfield Town Mooy for a drive that flashed just wide.

Andrew Nabbout's game ended prematurely when he fell and suffered what looked like a dislocated shoulder, the Urawa Reds front man replaced by

Arzani did well to keep the ball in play and outfox Sisto to fire across the area but the chance went begging.

Just minutes before the final whistle the Iranian-born teenager produced an angled strike that forced a great block from Schmeichel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Thu, June 21 2018. 20:35 IST