Denmark used a staunch defense and an 85th-minute goal by Soren Frederikson to beat Mexico 1-0 in an international friendly match between the nations’ Under-23 soccer teams played in a downpour Sunday at UCSB’s Harder Stadium.
The quicker Mexican team controlled the run of play in the first half, generating some good scoring chances. But Denmark never buckled under El Tri’s pressure, maintaining its defensive shape and poise throughout.
Denmark defeated Mexico 1-0 as the two U-23 teams battled on a rainy day at Harder Stadium
The Danes stepped up their attack in the second half against a Mexican team that inserted six new players in its lineup.
“I don’t think we gave them one chance in the second half,” Danish coach Keld Bordinggard said. “We closed down very nicely, so a compliment to our defense.”
Denmark’s backline of Anders Randup, Andreas Bjelland, Lasse Nielsen and Brian Hamalainen did a fine job marking and covering for each other against the quick-footed Mexicans.
Marco Fabian and Michael Ricardo Vasquez were especially challenging to contain for the Danes, who are preparing for the Under-21 European Championships, which they are hosting.
“They are very aggressive and very balanced in their actions,” said Bordinggard of his defenders. “We managed to play aggressively without giving (Mexico) a lot of free kicks.”
Hamalainen, a second division pro player in Denmark, was a stalwart on the left side of the backline.
“I was focusing on staying low to the ground and moving as fast as I can,” he said about defending.
Hamalainen also played a role in the Denmark attack. In the 18th minute, he ripped a shot in which Mexican goalkeeper Miguel Centeno needed both hands to knock away.
Centeno, clad in neon green, shined in goal during his first-half appearance. He made a terrific play in the 32nd minute, diving to his left to punch out a shot by Henrik Dalsgaard.
Mexico coach Mario Arteaga said saves like that are routine for Centeno, who plays professionally for Toluca in Mexico’s First Division.
“I’m not impressed because that’s who he is,” said the coach of the goalkeeper. “He’s a leader on the field. He’s our No. 1 goalie. He’s just a born player.”
Monterrey’s Jesus Dautt played in goal in the second half and made some nice saves before being beaten by Frederikson.
“We played well,” Arteaga said. “We’re still trying to find a rhythm. For the first time (together), it was a good performance. We played a good team today.”
On his mass substiutions in the second half, Arteaga said, “I brought 21 players on the trip and, because it’s a new team, I want to find a system (that works). I’m trying to find the best 11. We’re still trying to find an identity.”
He was pleased with the group that played in the first half. “Defense and offensively, they completed their jobs. I’m happy there is something there. You were able to see in the game that they possessed the ball well and were able to create chances and were able to play defense.”
Despite the rain, several thousand fans showed up to cheer on both teams.
Asked if the wet conditions made a difference in the match, Arteaga said yes, “but that’s not an excuse. Overall, we did a good job.”
Denmark’s Bordinggard, who used to play for Wichita in the old Major Indoor Soccer League, said his team’s offense opened up in the second half because of Mexico’s lineup changes and “we looked more comfortable on the ball. These two things helped us find our game and created the chances we needed. We should have finished more than we did. That gave them some transitions and that’s one of those things you should not give a fast team like Mexico.”
The game-winning goal was set up by a corner kick. Matti Lund Nielsen slammed a shot that hit the back of Mexico’s Jaime Ayala and richocheted out to Frederikson, who, without hesitation, hammered his shot into the back of the net.
“We move on and we’re happy with the result,” said Bordinggard.
