'Good luck in Brazil... you'll need it!' Denmark boss Olsen mocks England's World Cup chances after narrow defeat

By Sami Mokbel

PUBLISHED: 17:32 EST, 5 March 2014 | UPDATED: 02:53 EST, 6 March 2014


England's World Cup chances were mocked despite a narrow victory over Denmark at Wembley.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge headed home a late winner for the hosts, but Danish boss Morten Olsen was far from impressed by Roy Hodgson's side.

As Olsen left the post-match press conference, he said: 'Good luck in the World Cup... you'll need it.'

Good luck: Morten Olsen mocked England's chances at this summer's World Cup in Brazil

Good luck: Morten Olsen mocked England's chances at this summer's World Cup in Brazil

Any ideas? England looked as though they were struggling for creativity for much of the game

Any ideas? England looked as though they were struggling for creativity for much of the game

The Denmark manager added: 'I think that England have a young team with a lot of quickness. It's promising for the future, but if it's enough for the World Cup?

'I think we would have won if Christian Eriksen was playing tonight.'

Hodgson immediately defended his side amid Olsen's jibe, saying: 'I don't care about that. Every team will need good luck. We didn't need it tonight, that's for sure.'

Luke Shaw made his England debut, while Raheem Sterling was given a second cap by Hodgson.

And the England manager gave a glowing appraisal of his young stars as he looks to finalise his 23-man squad for Brazil 2014.

'Over half of the players we have in this squad are under 23. We are looking in that direction, but I don't feel under obligation to pick young players.

'The younger players are doing well at the moment. Hopefully you will be impressed with their performances, and I'll have to make a decision going forward.

Up high: Chris Smalling goes up for a header in the opening 45 minutes, but misses the target

Up high: Chris Smalling goes up for a header in the opening 45 minutes, but misses the target

'You couldn't get me to say anything negative about any of the young players on today.

'We've been building up over the couple of years – it's not Raheem's first game, or Jordan Henderson's, Adam Lallana's, Chris Smalling's or Jack Wilshere's.

'I'd just like to think these players will grow in confidence playing in the Premier League and for their club sides. 

'This was an important game tonight. It was important we put in a good performance. I wanted a level of energy, players running back when they lost the ball, making tackles from the wrong side, not being afraid to make mistakes knowing with their pace they can recover. 

'That's what I did see, and we put the icing on the cake with the goal to win it. 

Finally: Daniel Sturridge heads England ahead with eight minutes remaining at Wembley

Finally: Daniel Sturridge heads England ahead with eight minutes remaining at Wembley

Relief: Sturridge wheels away after scoring the opening goal after 82 minutes

Relief: Sturridge wheels away after scoring the opening goal after 82 minutes

On form: The Liverpool striker scored his third senior England goal, and deserved more on the night

On form: The Liverpool striker scored his third senior England goal, and deserved more on the night

'The thing I've learned mostly is that I've seen an incredible focus from this group of players. 

'This World Cup means a lot to players. They'll be doing everything in their power to impress me. They did that tonight and we got a win. 

'They have to continue doing that in the two months we have coming up. When I make a decision, it'll be based on the principles I have in selecting a squad: if these players continue playing like this, you'll have a lot to write about on the players who are left out.'

One to beat: Sturridge had England's best chance, but was thwarted from six yards

One to beat: Sturridge had England's best chance, but was thwarted from six yards

Opening: Schmeichel saves from Sturridge in the dying moments of the first-half at Wembley

Opening: Schmeichel saves from Sturridge in the dying moments of the first-half at Wembley

Meanwhile, Hodgson allayed fears Wilshere suffered an ankle injury after a hefty challenge from Daniel Agger.

The Arsenal midfielder suffered the blow early in the first half and lasted until the 59th minute.

Hodgson said: 'It was a nasty one. It was a 50/50 and they both went for it. I hoped it was a bruise rather than anything more serious, and it was. I'm hoping when he goes back to Arsenal he'll be fine.'

Method: Sterling used the wing to good effect in the first-half at Wembley

Method: Sterling used the wing to good effect in the first-half at Wembley

Trickery: Sterling nips in from the byline as Agger remains in pursuit of the Liverpool winger

Trickery: Sterling nips in from the byline as Agger remains in pursuit of the Liverpool winger

Together: The players celebrate a deserved lead in front of an expectant Wembley crowd

Together: The players celebrate a deserved lead in front of an expectant Wembley crowd

High foot: Rooney was substituted around the hour mark after a quiet night

High foot: Rooney was substituted around the hour mark after a quiet night

Clock ticking: Hodgson was given one more chance to see his potential World Cup stars in action for England

Clock ticking: Hodgson was given one more chance to see his potential World Cup stars in action for England

Any ideas? England looked as though they were struggling for creativity for much of the game

Any ideas? England looked as though they were struggling for creativity for much of the game

 

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tet1963, hove, 3/6/14, 7:52 AM No keeper then?

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Yeah, he's right, we'll need good luck out there - good luck in us playing winning football. Think any team wishes for good luck. Barca, for example, seem to play some of the best football but they have faltered and lost before, so they too need a little luck their way. Brazil likewise, great nation renowned for their skill and endeavour in the past, and even now with some top talent, but they need some luck to fill in the rest for them as well. Also, Olsen can talk because Denmark failed to qualify, would have been different if Denmark were taking part. It was a training session last night, Denmark just aimed to keep us out, nothing more, and we obliged by labouring around them. Wasn't the kind of game that either side brought to the boil, Denmark were quite ordinary opponents, so we weren't bothered.

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What the hell was Henderson doing last night he should be in the say poll as Cleverley. Mr Olsen is right we will need luck and lots of it, if only we had some blokes who could play and string a few passes together.

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He's right, the first hour was awful, it was like watching utd this season and I'm a utd fan. Smalling should be not near the England squad, Rooney was very poor and Henderson is as poor as Cleverley. Shaw, lallana and Gerard played well.

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Some things are better left unsaid. It's not a very sporting comment coming from a manager in football.

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Blimey, I'm a spurs fan and though Ericsson is good he ain't that good.

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We all know our chances are limited just got to relax and try and play a bit of football. Why we get so uptight about England is beyond me. We all need a bit of luck sometimes.

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I'm gonna have to agree with that. No good enough players and manager. Total disaster.

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England has the wrong people running the FA they stifle innovation becuse they are looking after their own interests,lets tear up the safety first rules & start afresh a new FA with younger men at the helm & a manager with a bit of fire who loves english football my choice Ian Wright,no i'm not drunk & apart from Gerard lets ditch the likes of Rooney Lampard Terry Ferdinand they have had their chance & blown it, i know i'm dreaming & it won't happen gutless England.

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Dear Morten Olsen It was a friendly. Please don't act like Denmark is hard done by. If you where any good you'd be in the world cup. You're not so enjoy you're June. I'll be watching my country play in the greatest football competition ever.

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Denmark were as good as England & wasn;t Casper Smeichel great a chip off the old block.

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Friendlies are nothing more than a training session and no way to judge how good the team is. All the premiership clubs have told their players dont get injured and come back fit. This is the title/CL/euro run in after all. How far will England get in Brazil? who knows? Further than Scotland!

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