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NIIGATA, Japan (Ticker) -- Looking likely to be without the services of Jon Dahl Tomasson, Denmark will try and halt its five-game winless streak against England on Saturday in the round of 16 at the World Cup. Tomasson, one of the tournament's leading scorers with four goals, missed training Thursday due to a groin injury. As David Beckham is for England (hence the hysteria surrounding his battle with injury during the buildup to the tournament), Tomasson is an irreplaceable player for Denmark. He possesses skills and ability not found in another member of the Scandinavian squad. In Denmark coach Morten Olsen's 4-2-1-3 formation, Tomasson has been the one, both literally and figuratively. He has played just behind the forward line and has used his free role and offensive prowess to great effect, propelling Denmark into first place in Group A. Without Tomasson, Olsen may be forced to revert to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation. Denmark also has two other injury concerns. Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who has allowed two goals in three games, also missed Thursday's practice. Feisty midfielder Stig Tofting has an injured left foot and may not take the field either. The English have posted a 3-0-2 mark against the Danes in their last five meetings. The teams last met in 1994, when England recorded a 1-0 victory at Wembley. Denmark's last success against England came in 1983. These European sides will be meeting for the 20th time. England has dominated Denmark, posting an 11-4-4 mark all-time in a series that dates back to 1910. England advanced to the knockout stages from Group F, taking second place in the so-called "Group of Death." Denmark and England each knocked off one of the pre-tournament favorites en route to the last 16. The Danes posted a 2-0 triumph over the French, while the English edged the Argentines, 1-0. Despite having famed offensive stars Beckham and Michael Owen in its lineup, England has reached the last 16 due to its stellar defensive play. Rio Ferdinand, a central defender with Leeds United, has been England's best player in its opening three matches -- marking opposing strikers out of the game, dominating in the air in England's penalty area and coming up with crucial tackles to prevent shots on goal. Ferdinand's partner in central defense, Sol Campbell, also has been solid and fullbacks Ashley Cole and Danny Mills have performed better than expected, especially against Argentina. Cole prevented the Argentines from getting crosses into the box early in the contest and Mills cleared balls into the area late. When shots have been fired, goalkeeper David Seaman has made some stellar saves and permitted just one goal in three matches. But having survived the "Group of Death" and advanced to the knockout stages, England will look for Owen, the reigning European Footballer of the Year, to get off the mark. The speedy Liverpool striker, who at the age of 22 already has scored 16 times for his country, has yet to find the net at the World Cup. The winner at this match faces the victor between Brazil and Belgium. That quarterfinal will be played in Shizuoka on Friday. |
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