Møller makes most of chance
Saturday, 26 March 2005
By Peter Bruun
[1] Peter Møller took full advantage of his late call-up into the Danish squad as he struck twice to keep his nation in touch with the FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 2 leaders.
Momentous week
[2] The veteran FC København striker was only selected on Wednesday, his 33rd birthday, when Peter Madsen withdrew due to a stomach problem but, within eight minutes tonight, Møller marked his first cap in nearly two years with a goal as he headed in a Martin Jørgensen free-kick.
Poulsen landmark
[3] Although Ruslan Baltiev sent a free-kick over the Danish crossbar after 14 minutes, Denmark remained dominant for much of the first half. Kazakhstan goalkeeper Yuriy Novikov did well to save a fine shot from Jesper Grønkjær on 23 minutes - just two minutes before Møller shot just over. Next Christian Poulsen came close, and in the 34th minute the FC Schalke 04 player opened his international account, his head connecting with a corner.
Møller strikes
[4] Late in the half, the visitors went close as Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen had to make excellent saves, first from Baltiev, and then from Andrei Travin in the 38th minute. But the half-time score remained 2-0 and three minutes after the interval Møller struck again, making the most of an incisive Brian Priske pass.
Novikov saves
[5] Moments later, Grønkjær was denied by Novikov, but Kazakhstan, yet to register a point in their first campaign as UEFA members, did not give up and Kairat Utabayev hit the post four minutes later. On 62 minutes Baltiev shot just over, and at the other end Novikov produced a save as Møller aimed for a hat-trick.
Ukraine trips
[6] Kenneth Perez was also foiled by the goalkeeper in added time, but the points were Denmark's, and they move up to third in the group, ahead of Turkey on goal difference but two points behind second-placed Greece. Denmark visit leaders Ukraine on Wednesday hoping to close the five-point gap, while Kazakhstan travel to the same nation on 4 June for their next group fixture.