Agger on the spot as Denmark down Armenia
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
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Armenia 0-1 Denmark
Daniel Agger's penalty 17 minutes from time secured the visitors a vital win and reignited their qualifying bid in Group B.
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Daniel Agger scored 17 minutes from time to earn Denmark a crucial win against ten-man Armenia in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group B.
The Liverpool FC defender breathed new life into Morten Olsen's team – a point adrift of second spot prior to kick-off – after keeping his composure from the spot. The win is a timely fillip for Denmark ahead of October assignments against Italy and Malta.
The away team quickly settled into their stride, but Michael Krohn-Dehli, Nicki Nielsen and Martin Braithwaite all misfired in front of goal, while Armenia goalkeeper Gevorg Kasparov produced two outstanding stops to deny Christian Eriksen and then Nielsen. Vardan Minasyan's charges – in ebullient mood after beating the Czech Republic last time out – finished the half stronger, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Artur Edigaryan both going close.
Armenia continued to probe in the second half as Varazdat Haroyan rattled the crossbar and Aras Ozbiliz elicited a smart save from visiting keeper Stephan Andersen. Their momentum evaporated, though, when Nicolaj Boilesen was felled in the penalty area by Haroyan, who received his second yellow card. Agger did the rest from the spot to move the Danes on to 12 points with two games to play.
