Denmark's Jon Dahl Tomasson says his penalty miss against Japan was due to an injury picked up while taking the kick.
Danish veteran equals Nielsen's goalscoring record
Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson says his penalty miss in their defeat to Japan was due to a thigh strain he picked up while taking the kick.
The Danes were sent tumbling out of Group E following a 3-1 reverse in Rustenburg with Tomasson getting on the score-sheet - albeit with a shanked follow-up to his poor penalty in the 81st minute.
The strike was not enough to inspire his side to a comeback and Japan progressed, marking a disappointing end to the tournament for Morten Olsen's team.
Tomasson's injury adds woe to their early departure from South Africa and the front man revealed he injured himself taking the kick.
He said: "It was impossible to score the penalty because I strained my thigh when I fired and I can assure you it is tough to score with a strained thigh."
Denmark would have fancied their chances of progressing from the group, which also contained the Netherlands and Cameroon.
Reeling
But two defeats left them reeling in third place, and Tomasson admitted going out was a bitter disappointment.
He added: "Beforehand we expected to survive this group, although they were all opponents you can lose to."
There was some good news for the veteran striker, though, as hitting the back of the net equalled the scoring record for his country set by Poul Nielsen's 52 goals.
Tomasson admitted he may not get chance to surpass the feat in another World Cup finals, although the European Championship in 2012 may give him an opportunity to find the net on the big stage.
The 33-year-old - who made his Denmark debut in 1997 - said: "This was my last World Cup for sure. Maybe I will play another Euro (in 2012) but I also have to be realistic.
"We have several over 30 players but also five under 23, so this squad was the right mix, but it didn't work out."
