Denmark's World Cup opening game against China will be the most
crucial one in Group D as the winner will possibly qualify for the
knockout stage at the loser's expense, Denmark head coach Kenneth
Heiner-Moller said on Sunday.
"I think it is a key match for the group, both teams will try to
win and the win will put them through to the quarter-finals,"
Heiner-Moller told Xinhua.
"For me, Brazil is the best team in the group, and China and
Denmark will compete for the second slot.
"New Zealand will participate as well, but I still think one
team between China and Denmark will get the berth," he said.
Denmark will play the hosts on Wednesday, and Heine-Moller
claimed he knows everything about China.
"I saw all their warm-up games. Under Marika Domanski, the
individual development of some players is incredible, she has done
a piece of great job," he said.
When asked if he has designed the plan to cope with China, he
said: "I would rather keep it to myself."
He warned his Chinese opponents that their home advantage could
yield a double-edged sword effect.
"I think China is under a lot of pressure," he said.
"In the game, if they score a goal in the first five minutes,
everybody will be behind the team, but if the waste a goal chance
in the first five minutes, the stand will be very silent," he
said.
(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2007)