How the Socceroos stole a secret note from Denmark’s biggest star and used it to make a brilliant tactical change in history-making World Cup win
The Socceroos pulled off a brilliant tactical move in their upset win over Denmark at the World Cup by taking a note meant for star midfielder Christian Eriksen and using it to change their strategy, new footage has revealed.
Danish substitute Robert Skov carried the message onto the field in the 70th minute of Thursday morning’s clash in Qatar and gave it to the Manchester United superstar, but two minutes later it was being examined by Socceroos coaching staff on the sideline.
Two minutes later the Aussies completely changed their tactics as they brought on a substitute of their own, changing their formation to a more defensive 5-4-1 structure as they sought to protect their 1-0 lead.
A Danish player holds the note (left), which was taken onto the field by teammate Robert Skov (right) in their 1-0 loss to Australia
Two minutes later the note (circled) was being examined by the Socceroos coaching staff, including head coach Graham Arnold (second from left, with back to camera)
The note was found on the field and passed on to Socceroos staff by striker Mitch Duke, according to Fox Sports.
It reportedly told Eriksen that the Danes were changing to a formation using two strikers as they desperately tried to level the scores, and featured the word ‘believe’.
The Socceroos countered by bringing on centre back Bailey Wright, leaving them with five defenders in a move that helped preserve their lead.
Fans reacted to the new footage by praising the Aussies’ win-at-all-costs mentality and blasting Denmark for failing to keep their plan a secret.
‘The danish players shouldn’t have been that careless with the notes,’ tweeted Lukas Sydel Harder.
The instructions were meant for Danish superstar Chrisian Eriksen (pictured) and told him they were switching to a more attacking formation with two strikers
The Aussies switched to a more defensive formation after reading the note, helping them to an underdog victory that made history for the side
‘Did the Danish forget that they can speak a different language, that the Aussies can’t understand?’ asked Ricky Bustos.
‘Is this note passing s**thousery or notehousery? Elite stuff here,’ wrote Jason Jones.
‘The Danish players shouldn’t have been so careless with their notes,’ another fan tweeted.
Australia’s will to win has been at the forefront of their victories over Tunisia and Denmark after being smashed 4-1 by France to begin the tournament in Qatar.
Known as a physical team with a combative streak, Graham Arnold’s side also pulled off a brilliant move with the opposition’s notes in the penalty shootout win over Peru that got them into the World Cup in June.
Andrew Redmayne (pictured) also used the opposition’s notes against them in the Socceroos’ penalty shootout win over Peru in June, which got them into the World Cup
The Aussie goalie threw away a water bottle and towel belonging to his opposite number, Pedro Gallese (pictured), knowing it contained instructions on how to combat the Socceroos’ penalty strategy
Reserve goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne threw away his opposite number’s water bottle and towel during the tense end to their clash – knowing they contained a piece of paper with instructions on how to combat Australia’s penalty takers.
TV footage showed Redmayne making a beeline for the bottle, snatching the paper before sauntering over to the advertising hoardings where he threw the instructions into the distance.
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