Denmark duo hold key to success

Denmark’s progression through the World Cup group stages owes much to Jon Dahl Tomasson and Thomas Sorensen, two players who have enjoyed differing experiences of England’s north east.

Former Newcastle striker Tomasson, now of AC Milan after four fruitful seasons with PSV Eindhoven, has four goals in Denmark’s three games and is in the running for the tournament’s golden boot award.

The 25-year-old’s performances have borne little resemblance to those he showed in his brief stay at St James’ Park in the 1997-98 season, where he scored just three times in 23 appearances.

While Sunderland’s Sorensen has seamlessly assumed the mantle of the legendary Peter Schmeichel, turning in a series of sparkling performances despite entering his first major tournament with only 15 caps to his name, Tomasson has linked play and displayed all the predatorial instincts he will need to succeed in Serie A.

Only Miroslav Klose has scored more goals in the tournament and in the second round England fans will witness a matured and confident Tomasson, who has benefited from a disciplined and structured Denmark side, given confidence by goalkeeper Sorensen.

In between their in-form marksman and dependable keeper is a stern defence and industrious midfield, with only Dennis Rommedahl likely to provide any spark.

But Sorensen has put the Danes’ success down the side’s unity and spirit, drawing comparisons with Mick McCarthy’s Republic of Ireland side.

The Danes headed for Japan and South Korea with high hopes of making an impact and although their realistic targets may not be as lofty as some, there was a general belief that they could at least ruffle a few feathers.

And in dumping out France in the group stages, they have done just that and will face England as Group A winners.

Nevertheless, Denmark still see themselves as underdogs, a position in which Sorensen believes they can thrive.

‘‘My goal was definitely to get beyond the group stage,’’ Sorensen said.

‘‘If you get past the group stage, we know that on the day, we can beat anyone. These are the games we want to be in.

‘‘Denmark in the past have always liked that role of being the underdog. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.

‘‘As a team, we work really well together. We are a bit like the Irish team. They work very well as a unit, and we’re the same really.

‘‘In football, you need a team to win games, you don’t need 11 individuals.

‘‘It’s a great thing as a footballer just to be able to play in a World Cup. You will play against the best players under the biggest pressure, so that will be a fantastic thing to try, and you’ll learn from that.’’

Sorensen has oozed potential since Peter Reid brought him to England from Odense for a bargain £1million back in the summer of 1998.

His form on Wearside has been one of the major reasons for the Black Cats’ success in recent

years and, even in what proved a hugely disappointing last campaign, the Dane remained in sparkling form to prevent dismay from turning into disaster.

Such has been Sorensen’s contribution that he would, in any other era, have been an automatic choice for his country for years. However, he has had to show remarkable patience before launching his international career in earnest.

There has only ever been one obstacle in his way, but that obstacle was Danish legend Peter Schmeichel.

Schmeichel stood like a giant between the sticks for Denmark’s finest moment and has barked orders as the Danes have become one of the leading forces in European football.

Schmeichel was there when, in 1992, they beat Germany to the European Championships as wildcard entrants and he was Denmark’s foundation for their quarter-final appearance at France 1998, where they were edged out by eventual finalists Brazil.

Indeed, such was Schmeichel’s dominance in goal that Sorensen came into the World Cup, his first major tournament as Denmark’s number one.

And after years as an understudy, the Sunderland man has finally been given the opportunity to

play a leading role, and it will come as no surprise to Black Cats fans that he has seized it.

Sorensen was the star goalkeeper of the group stages, giving confidence as the Danes sealed their passage to the second round with a 2-0 victory over defending champions France.

And the Sunderland man believes his time working under Schmeichel, although frustrating at times,

has done him the power of good as he looks to make his own mark on the national team.

‘‘Those years I was on the bench, it was a great learning period,’’ he said.

‘‘Being understudy to Peter Schmeichel, you get a chance to pick a lot of things up but I’ve definitely got a long way to go to achieve the same things as Peter has done,’’ he said.

But for all Sorensen understandably plays down the inevitable comparison with Schmeichel, he is determined to match his predecessor for industry both on and off the pitch, as well as attention to detail, in the hunt for the level of consistency which made the former Manchester United keeper the best in the business.

‘‘I don’t think you can ever say you’ve reached your potential,’’ he said. ‘‘If you think that, that’s when it starts going downhill.

‘‘There are always things you can work on and things you can get better at.

‘‘That’s the objective, to get better all the time, and I think things have gone uphill for me every season and hopefully, I’ll continue doing that.’’