By Ben McKay
Socceroo Aaron Mooy will be facing two club teammates in Australia’s World Cup clash with Denmark.
After a tight opening World Cup defeat by France the Socceroos turn their attention to a do-or-die clash with Denmark in Samara on Thursday.
And there’s one Socceroo that knows the Scandinavians better than most – midfield maestro Aaron Mooy.
Mooy counts two Danes as teammates at Huddersfield, playing against a handful of others in the English Premier League.
Matias Jorgensen and Jonas Lossl line up for the Terriers, forming crucial parts of the club’s defence.
Lossl started every game in the Huddersfield goal, with Jorgensen at centre-back.
“Jorgensen played every minute of the season. The only two to do that were him and the goalkeeper,” Mooy told AAP. “They’re very durable, dependable and consistent.
“Jorgensen is a very good defender. He’s always there.
“Never whinges. Never misses training. Mr Dependable.”
Lossl is unlikely to be spotted in Denmark’s goal as he plays second fiddle to established No.1 Kasper Schmeichel – one of Mooy’s Premier League rivals.
Schmeichel started and starred in Denmark’s defeat of Peru, a 1-0 win in which the gloveman made six saves.
The last Danish goalkeeper to make more saves in a World Cup match was his father, legendary Manchester United custodian Peter Schmeichel, at France ’98.
But Jorgensen is likely to play a role, given an injury to William Kvist in the tight win over the South Americans.
Jorgensen, 28, came on as a substitute as the Scandinavians looked to preserve their lead over Peru and could now graduate to a starting position.
Mooy said it would be odd to face his teammates in Russia given the close bonds formed during the club’s successful fight against relegation.
“There were a few jokes back in December when we drew them,” Mooy said. “Because we were in a pressure situation towards the end, there weren’t that many for a few months.
“And then when we survived they came back out.”
The other two players based in England’s top flight are Andreas Christensen of Chelsea and Tottenham superstar Christian Eriksen.
Mooy faced Christensen, 22, twice this season, including on the penultimate weekend of the season when Town secured a gritty 1-1 draw away from home that confirmed their Premier League status.
Australia’s key midfield man only faced Eriksen once, last September when the star 26-year-old helped cut Huddersfield down to size with a 4-0 defeat, Town’s biggest home loss of the campaign.
“He’s an excellent player, a very intelligent footballer,” Mooy said of Eriksen.
“He can score goals, can create goals. He’s a very smart player.”
AAP
