‘We deserved more’: van Marwijk reacts to draw with Denmark

Bert van Marwijk says he’s disappointed the Socceroos didn’t take all three points against Denmark, believing they did enough to claim victory in their Group C clash at the FIFA World Cup™ on Thursday.

Despite falling behind early to a Christian Eriksen stunner, Australia regrouped and equalised before the break before dominating the second-half chances.

WRAPSocceroos still alive after thrilling draw with Denmark

WATCH: Bert van Marwijk's Denmark post-match press conference

READ: What's next for the Socceroos?

But a winner didn’t materialise on a frustrating night for the Socceroos in Samara.

“I also sat here against France and I was disappointed and also proud because against France we also deserved more,” van Marwijk said at the official post-match press conference.

“The conclusion is we have one point and we deserve four points from these two games.

“Beside the first 15 minutes we played very well and had chances to win and we deserved to win so I’m disappointed.”

Van Marwijk added: “The first 15 minutes maybe we were a little restless but after that we started to play football and have confidence on the ball and then you saw all the time Aaron [Mooy] was free or Mile [Jedinak] or Tommy [Rogic].

“From that moment on we controlled big parts of the game.

“The first half there was not many chances but the second half we played very well and created chances and its unbelievable pity that we didn’t score.”

Aaron Mooy wins the ball from Denmark's Yussuf Poulsen.
Aaron Mooy wins the ball from Denmark's Yussuf Poulsen.

Before the Denmark clash, van Marwijk urged his side to be more creative and find a way to make more opportunities in front of goal.

While they certainly did that against the 12th-ranked Danes, the only thing missing for Australia was the execution of the final pass or shot on goal.

“When you see the game it’s the last part of the puzzle makes the difference,” van Marwijk said.

“I must be satisfied from almost all the things I have asked them. From the first day the team improved every day and they surprised me today again.

“A performance like we did against France, that’s a big country and one of the best in the world. And when you play against Denmark, I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s more difficult and still we have a very good performance. So this team has improved very much.

He added: “When you are at this level to create against Denmark so many chances you must be satisfied about the way of playing and about the creation of chances. The only thing you have to do is to put the ball in the goal.”

The Dutchman revealed Andrew Nabbout – who was forced off with an injury in the second half – suffered a bad shoulder problem which likely means his tournament is over.

But van Marwijk was full of praise for teenage substitute Daniel Arzani, who terrorised the Danish defence in a 25-minute cameo.

“Everybody knows he’s a big talent. He doesn’t play so long in the Australian competition so I think it’s an exception that I nominated him but I trust his qualities,” van Marwijk said of the 19-year-old from Melbourne City.

“He has to learn a lot but he’s very talented and he’s also an intelligent player.

“It’s good for him to play 25 minutes and I’ll see what I’ll do in the next game.”

The result means the Socceroos not only need to win their final match against Peru next Wednesday – live on SBS and Optus Sport – but also hope the result of the France-Denmark clash goes their way.

“For me, it’s only important that we have to beat Peru. If we want a chance we have to beat them,” van Marwijk said of Australia’s hopes of reaching the last 16.

“I have no influence over the rest so I don’t think about those things. We must concentrate on Peru.”

Australian players get around Mile Jedinak after his goal.
Australian players get around Mile Jedinak after his goal.