Another brace from Soren Larson against Malta

Denmark consolidated their lead at the top of Group One with a World Cup Qualifying victory over Malta at the National Stadium at Ta’ Qali. Soren Larsen once again have notched a brace as he din in the home qualifier. The 0-3 final score seems to be hard for Malta as our player had their brave efforts which resulted not enough to prevent our opponents from taking maximum points from this encounter. The Maltese players caused some problems to the opposing defense.

For this occasion the National Stadium was turned in red and white colors with both supporters, Maltese and Danish doing their best to urge their respective team. The South End Core with their choreography and their not stop chanting dominated as regards supporting. Before the start of the match Louis Agius, South End Core top man, presented their merchandising to Dr. Joe Mifsud in recognition of his appointment as Vice-President of UEFA.

Malta coach Dusan Fitzel, had given Barnsley pair Daniel Bogdanovic and Michael Mifsud a starting role in the game but despite the latter posing a constant threat, the diminutive striker was always well controlled by the Danish defense in which Liverpool 's Daniel Agger was at his best. With Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen putting in a man of the match performance and dictating matters in the centre of the pitch for the Danes, it was a difficult task for Malta .

With a good move by Michael Mifsud on the right in the 7th minute he created a golden opportunity for Andre Schembri to score. Daniel Bogdanovic in this goal action was all alone and would have surely slotted the ball much better. Malta paid dearly for this failed opportunity as Denmark four minutes later went ahead in what looked like an offside position by Dennis Rommedhal but the assistant referee let the play on and from the resultant pass Soren Larsen scored. Then it was Denmark that doubled the score on the 23rd minute as a good cross from captain Martin Jorgensen found Soren Larsen again unmarked who calmly slotted the ball in the net. Moments later it was Malta who should have had a penalty when what seemed like a very obvious foul by Jacobson on Andre Cohen was waved play on by the Polish referee.

Three minutes from half-time, the same official Tomasz Mikulski again inflamed the Maltese fans as he yellow carded Andrew Cohen for simulation instead of ordering a penalty when the Maltese winger was tripped by Kroldrup.

The pattern of the game changed after the break, the Danes knew their job was done and they took their foot off the pedal as the game wore on. Fitzel kept the same players that started with. The first 15 minutes being more positive for the Maltese. In fact just after the restart a good run by Shaun Bajada on the left gave some hope when he passed to Michael Mifsud but Sorensen closed the angle and deviated into a corner. From the subsequent corner taken by the same Gozitan born Bajada, Bogdanovic header went off the target. Later it was Sorenson that saved a shot by Mifsud after a good move by Briffa. On the 74th minute, Denmark were dangerous as after a short clearance by the Maltese defense, Rommendhal directed the ball again in the box with Larsen’s effort was blocked into corner by Andrei Agius.

With ten minutes to go Cohen’s powerful shot was deflected into a corner by Danish keeper Sorensen. However, substitute Morten Nordstrand put the result beyond any doubt when he found the target one minute before the final whistle after being put through by Rommendahl’s pass.

Referee: Tomasz Mikulski ( Poland ) 

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