THE fitness of Nicklas Bendtner has been the major topic of discussion ahead of Denmark’s decisive World Cup encounter against Japan tomorrow, with Morten Olsen conceding his star striker is again doubtful.
The Arsenal forward was expected to miss their opening 2-0 loss to Holland and the 2-1 victory over Cameroon, a game in which he scored, but won his battle with a groin problem on both occasions.
Now, with just 90 minutes separating the Scandinavians from a place in the next round, Bendtner continues to struggle with the injury that has plagued him.
Bendtner has already been singled out as the danger man in Rustenburg for the Asians by their coach Takeshi Okada and Olsen said: "First of all we have to see if he can play and we will decide that tomorrow.
"He has been doing quite alright. It’s by necessity that every other day he does not participate in the practice.
"Every time he has played we wait to see the reaction from his injury. There’s always a doubt when we have injuries like that, so we will have to wait and see."
Team-mate Daniel Jensen, though, was ruled out by the Danish boss, while Simon Kjaer is suspended.
Olsen admitted he was "not nervous, but excited" ahead of the clash which his side must win to guarantee progress.
Both sides have lost to the Dutch so far but wins over Cameroon have put them on three points each, with a draw in the match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium favouring the Asians and their slightly superior goal-difference.
And the Danish boss is expecting a tough encounter against a team he describes as being very similar to his.
Olsen continued: "Here we have two teams that have good qualities, who are perhaps not amongst the favourites for the World Cup.
"But these are two teams that if they use their full potential, then we can have a fair match against big teams as well.
"I’m not surprised by the way they played (against Cameroon and Holland).
"I said before the World Cup that Japan could be one of the teams that could surprise with people knowing nothing about Asian football.
"But we have followed Japan for the last half year and I’ve seen them play some games.
"They are fighting for each other and fighting for the country. You saw the Dutch team with all its qualities have many problems against Japan."
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, June 24, 2010
