Poulsen braced for stern challenge

Top of the group and undefeated in their opening three matches, Denmark should improve their World Cup qualifying chances with victory over Malta on Saturday but they are not taking our national team lightly.

Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen, who plays for Juventus, and veteran goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, now at Stoke City, warned against the perils of underestimating Malta when speaking to The Times before training at the Hibs Ground yesterday.

"It's a very important game for us," Poulsen replied when asked to pinpoint the reasons that led the Danish squad to conduct a training camp here before Saturday's qualifier.

"We have to prepare ourselves in the best possible way and we're taking this match very seriously. We hope we can get a good result but we also know that Malta play well at home.

"We watched Malta's last game against Albania and they played really well. It will be a difficult match, so it's important that the conditions are right for us to produce a good performance."

Denmark kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw in Hungary but four days later, they caused an upset with a 3-2 win away at Portugal. Morten Olsen's men then strolled to a 3-0 win over Malta in Copenhagen to seize the early initiative in Group One. Denmark are level with Hungary on seven points but have a game in hand.

Poulsen said: "We had a really good win in Portugal. I hope we can build on that result with another win in Malta."

Pre-qualifying predictions had Portugal as firm favourites to top Group One but after beating Malta 4-0, the Portuguese faltered, gaining only two points from their next three outings.

Despite their early wobbles, Poulsen expects Portugal to renew their assault on top spot in the coming months.

"I think Portugal will come back strong," Poulsen remarked.

"I think the hardest part of the qualifying campaign starts now.

"We have a difficult game against Malta coming up and after that we face Albania on Wednesday. These are two very important games for us and hopefully we can keep our distance over Portugal."

Denmark outclassed Malta in their last qualifier but Poulsen reckons Dusan Fitzel's team are a tougher proposition at home.

"This is another match," Poulsen observed.

"Malta are strong at home. They have had some good results. They drew 0-0 against Albania but if you see the game, I think Malta deserved to win.

"We know Malta are a different team at home and we are prepared to do our best to win this game."

At club level, Poulsen's first-team opportunities at Juventus have increased in recent months after a difficult start to his Serie A career following his move from Sevilla.

"It's been a big move for me to go to a big club like Juve," Poulsen said.

"It's nice to play with good players and in a good team. I was OK for the first few matches of the season but in September-October, I suffered an injury and was out for three months.

"I was a bit unlucky but now I'm fully recovered and have been playing more regularly for Juventus."

Poulsen accepts that Juve have plenty of catching-up to do in the title race but he is staying positive.

"It (winning the title) will be difficult because Inter have a seven-point lead at the top but we will try out best," he said.

"Hopefully, Inter will drop some points along the way. I think we still have a chance and I hope we win our home match against them."

Juventus were one of three Italian clubs that lost to English opposition in the first knock-out round stage of the Champions League.

Invited to offer his views on the recent domination of English teams over their Italian counterparts, Poulsen said: "We have to be honest. The English teams are very strong, they have been dominating the Champions League for the past four years or so.

"I hope Juventus improve in the Champions League next year and that we manage to beat the English teams."

Cautious views

Sorensen shares Poulsen's views that Malta will be no pushovers.

"Albania came here and had a really difficult time," the Stoke no.1 said.

"We watched that game and, in my opinion, Malta should have won. We know what to expect. Malta are a good counter-attacking team and have got some good, quick players up front. But, I'm sure if we approach the game in the right way, if we are really concentrated and don't take it easy, we should win but then again, football is never easy."

Now approaching his 33rd birthday, Sorensen admitted that for him and the other thirty-somethings in the Danish squad, this could be their final chance to play in the World Cup finals.

"Of course, we want to go to the World Cup," Sorensen said.

"For some of us, it might be the last chance to play in a World Cup, so we have to win every game. We have respect for Malta, we know that they can cause us problems. We need to be aggressive and take the game to Malta, instead of sitting back and maybe, being too laid-back."

Sorensen sees Portugal and Sweden as Denmark's main rivals for a place in the 2010 finals in South Africa.

"Sweden are always dangerous," he remarked.

"They may not be as strong as Portugal but they have been qualifying (for major tournaments) for the last 10 years. It should be between those three teams, Portugal, Sweden and us but Hungary are still in there. For us to stay in contention and retain the advantage that we have now, we need to win the next two matches."

Sorensen's ambition is to play in South Africa but at club level, his wish is for Stoke City to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The big Dane believes Stoke, currently three points outside the drop zone, have what it takes to stay up.

"I'm optimistic," he said.

"I think we're in a good position. The games that we have after the international break will be crucial. We've got a very good chance. The spirit among the players is high and that's very important."