Danish coach Lars Sondergaard insists he is HAPPY. Sam Kerr may be fit for a crucial 16th round draw… as Matildas stars reveal what to do to stop Pernille Harder

Stop Pernille Harder, stop Denmark?

The Matildas know that their round of 16 match in the Women’s World Cup won’t be that easy.

But limiting the captaincy of Denmark superstar and former Chelsea teammate Sam Kerr on Monday night will clearly be crucial to Australia’s hopes of a quarter-final date with France or Morocco.

Like Kerr’s influence on the Matildas when fit, attacking midfielder/striker Harder is the star around which Denmark’s attack revolves.

“Where you can say they are quite similar is that they are both players who can decide games out of the blue. They can score goals, they can prepare for others to score goals,” said Danish coach Lars Sondergaard.

Kerr has declared herself fit for the match against Denmark after missing three group stage matches with a calf injury suffered before the tournament started

“So you always have to keep an eye on those kinds of players individually.

“So in a way we are happy to see two of the world’s best players, especially attacking players, in one match – that’s all the World Cup is about.”

Harder has moved to Bayern Munich in the off-season, but ex-teammate Kerr still provides insight into the difference she can make.

“Sammy said she’s someone who can change the game for their team,” Matildas defenseman Alanna Kennedy said.

“It’s just always being alert against her and just showing up in the same way we did against Canada as a team.

“Pernille is someone we need to make sure we limit her chances and her time on the ball.

“I played against her a few times. I know what she’s like as a player.

So that’s always good. Sam clearly knows a lot about her and has shared that with the team as well.

“If we have the same mentality we had in the game against Canada, it doesn’t matter if you meet Pernille or a Sam Kerr on another team.”

Teammate Caitlin Foord was also wary of star Dane and her teammates.

The Danish captain Pernille Harder is the biggest threat to the Matildas

Harder (left) and Kerr (centre) played together at Chelsea for three seasons

“We all know that Harder and other players in the Danish team are of quality,” said Foord.

“And if we let them play their best game, of course they are players who can change the game and take a moment to clearly do what is needed.

‘Her (Harder), we have to keep an eye on her, but there are plenty of other players who can do exactly what she can do.

“We’ve always said from the start that if we’re together as a team and we work well as a team and take the players out like that, it’s in our hands and I think we have what it takes to control that. ‘