Australia beats Denmark 1-0 in warmup match, Olsen criticizes World Cup ball

Australia beats Denmark 1-0 in WCup warmup

JOHANNESBURG — Australia edged Denmark 1-0 in a World Cup warmup in Roodepoort on Tuesday.

Striker Joshua Kennedy’s 71st-minute goal handed victory to the Socceroos at Ruimsig Stadium — just outside Johannesburg — where over 2,000 fans turned out for a first taste of international soccer ahead of the World Cup.

A tight game was settled when Kennedy outmuscled defender Daniel Agger and shot past Stephan Andersen.

Denmark’s best chance fell to midfielder Christian Poulsen, but his half-volley was pushed away by Aussie goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Denmark coach Morten Olsen then waded into the controversy surrounding the official World Cup ball, saying in a TV interview: “We played with an impossible ball and we need to get used to it.”