FRANCE 98 – Match Summary n°5

Marc Rieper saved Denmark from embarrassment here Friday, securing a workmanlike 1-0 World Cup win over Saudi Arabia in a match which never came close to skilful football.

Saudi Arabia coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was adamant his team were a good technical side but they made little impression on the Danes throughout the match.

Whatever the whys and wherefores, Denmark head group C following their second half goal and must be confident of going into their second match against South Africa on Thursday.

Said a contented Bo Johansson, Denmark’s Swedish coach: ” We were very satisfied that we won the game and I think we played very well in the first half, but we had some problems in the last five minutes when the Saudis were very dangerous and that was a problem for us. “

Rieper found the net in the 68th minute to give his side the advantage. From a ball played over the defence, Martin Jorgensen held the ball up to the right of the area, setting up a cross from Brian Laudrup. Laudrup hit a pinpoint centre to the head of Rieper who lodged the ball firmly into the back of the net. Fully fit Saudi Arabia had attacking midfielder Saeed Owairan playing just behind strikers Sami Al Jaber and Fahad Al Mehalel as expected. Denmark’s Michael Laudrup, receiving his 100th cap, recovered from a slight knee strain to take his place in midfield while Michael Schjonberg beat Jan Heintze for the leftback spot.

Just before kick-off, Laudrup was presented with a bouquet of red and white roses, Denmark’s national colours, for reaching the impressive milestone. The first half was a pretty drab affair. Denmark dominated territorally but failed to get one shot on target and the Saudis hardly got out of their half let alone had a chance to score until just minutes from half-time. Then came the moment for Owairan, who scored a goal for the history books in the 1994 World Cup in the United States, to show his ability.

Striker Al Jaber won a freekick just outside the area after a foul by central defender Jes Hogh. Then left-sided midfielder Khalid Al Muwalid teed the ball up for Owairan, whose left foot shot was just wide of goal as keeper Peter Schmeichel’s right hand palmed it away.

Denmark’s best chance before the break came when striker Ebbe Sand hooked the ball over the bar after a Schjonberg through ball which was slightly deflected. Brian Laudrup got though the defence but was offside and, after that Sand, midfielders Michael Laudrup, Morten Wieghorst and Martin Jorgensen all skied the balls over. Denmark’s Swedish coach Bo Johansson might do well to suggest shooting practice at their next training session. The Saudis are a good, technical side according to their Brazilian coach Perreira, but they could have done a lot better before the break.

Saudi Arabia were whistled on two occasions when the crowd felt they were feigning injury to try and influence Argentinian referee Javier Alberto Castrilli. The second half had few chances for either team though midfielder Fuad Amin had a clear shot on goal but fell just as he was taking his shot from inside the box. Denmark keeper Schmeichel had little to do for most of the second half though he was under pressure in patches. In the end Danish experience told against the Saudis but although Demark took three valuable points it was a far from impresssive showing. Parreira, who took Brazil to World Cup victory in 1994, knows he has his work cut out if he is to reach the second round. In their previous match in January 1995 in Riyadh, Denmark won 2-0.