Denmark earn consolation victory in Hong Kong Carlsberg Cup

AFP - Denmark defeated a Hong Kong League XI 2-1 to earn a consolation win and finish third in the four-team Lunar New Year Carlsberg Cup tournament here Tuesday.

Thomas Schultz caught the Hong Kong defence napping when he scored a breakaway goal in the 14th minute to give a young and experimental Danish outfit a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Denmark went further ahead late in the match when captain Michael Hansen scored a penalty two minutes from the end after substitute striker Michael Johansen was brought down by Hong Kong defender Christian Cordeiro.

"We dominated the match throughout. It is a pity that we were not in the final as we deserved to be in it. But I´m proud with the way the players have performed here," said Denmark coach Morten Olsen.

Denmark lost to Iran 1-0 in their opening game last Saturday despite dominating most of the match. Iran was due to meet Uruguay in the final later Tuesday.

Hosts Hong Kong scored a goal in the dying seconds from a penalty after Cornelius Udebuluzor was tripped in the box by Brian Pedersen. The penalty was successfully taken by Hong Kong captain Dejan Antonic, one of the many expatriates playing in the local professional league.

"The early goal we conceded made it difficult for us. We came back well but Denmark are a good side and to lose 2-1 is no disgrace," said Hong Kong coach Kwok Ka-ming.