Taking chances

Denmark looks to Dahl Tomasson for goals

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- Jon Dahl Tomasson may have been on Denmark's national team for the last five years, but he hasn't emerged as a household name in the same way as former star forwards such as Michael and Brian Laudrup.

But he could show up at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan as a winner.

Dahl Tomasson, who plays for UEFA Cup finalist Feyenoord, could finally make his mark on the soccer world on May 8, when his Dutch team plays German side Borussia Dortmund in the final at De Kuip stadium -- his home ground.

The 25-year-old striker, who didn't make the team four years ago when Denmark reached the World Cup quarterfinals in France, is a laborious and restless player who can create chances that eventually end with a goal.

Dahl Tomasson is expected to be given a ticket to South Korea by coach Morten Olsen despite a minor thigh injury, which he hopes will have disappeared in time for the World Cup. Feyenoord's top striker has played 36 times for Denmark and scored 13 times.

Together with forward Ebbe Sand, the pair spearheads the team -- a duo reminiscent of the Laudrup brothers. The Dahl Tomasson-Sand combination scored a goal each in July to give Denmark a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier.

Dahl Tomasson is known for being the one that the defense pays little attention to until he suddenly has the ball.

Last year, Olsen described him as "incredibly effective when he wants to. He can miss a great opportunity and then he can take a chance and score."

He referred to Dahl Tomasson's last two goals when Denmark met Bulgaria in Sofia. Both times, the Dane slipped through the Bulgarian defense and found himself alone in front of the goal. He scored both times and Denmark won 2-0.

Dahl Tomasson started his professional career in Dutch club Heerenveen. He left in 1997 for Newcastle, where he stayed a year. He then returned to the Netherlands and has been with Feyenoord since.

 

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