Aussies grab crucial 1-1 draw with Danes

SAMARA, Russia (AP):

Mile Jedinak has a knack for penalty kicks and his strategy is beyond simple.

"Just to get that ball in the back in the net," the Australia captain said after converting from the spot to give Australia a 1-1 draw against Denmark yesterday and new life at the FIFA World Cup.

The 38th-minute penalty was set up after Denmark forward Yussuf Poulsen was called for a handball following a video review. Poulsen was also cautioned by the referee and will be suspended for the team's final group match against France because of yellow card accumulation.

The goal was Jedinak's second from the spot at this year's World Cup, and it snapped Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel's five-match streak of clean sheets for the Danes.

"It's more just composing and staying concentrated, regardless of the situation, regardless of where you're standing, and regardless of what's going on around you," added Jedinak, who has converted 16 straight penalties.

Christian Eriksen scored in the opening minutes for Denmark, which have gone unbeaten in 17 straight international matches.

Going into the tournament, No. 36 Australia was the lowest-ranked team in Group C with the others all in the top 12.

With a loss to France in the opener, a defeat yesterday would have made it nearly impossible for the Socceroos to advance to the next stage. Denmark, meanwhile, won its first match against Peru.