Morten Olsen believes Simon Poulsen was unlucky after Denmark opened their campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Holland.
Denmark coach in pragmatic mood after Dutch defeat
Morten Olsen believes Simon Poulsen was unlucky after Denmark opened their World Cup campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Holland.
Denmark matched the Dutch during the first half at Soccer City, but fell behind to a comical own goal inside the opening minute of the second period.
The goal arrived when Simon Poulsen's attempted headed clearance from Robin van Persie's cross hit the back of team-mate Daniel Agger and bounced past helpless goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.
Olsen offered his sympathy to Poulsen, saying: "That was like a bucket of cold water over our heads.
"Simon Poulsen was one of our better players, but he was unlucky. It's one of those things that happens in football."
Bendtner risk
Nicklas Bendtner missed Denmark's best opening during the first half and Olsen's side struggled to create any chances after falling behind.
Olsen withdrew Bendtner just past the hour mark in Johannesburg and he admits he could not gamble on the Arsenal striker's fitness after a recent injury.
He added: "We had to take some chances, but we couldn't let Bendtner play more than one hour.
"We still have two important games."
Denmark's next game in Group E is against Cameroon in Pretoria on Saturday before Olsen's men meet Japan in their final fixture of the first round.
