Denmark begins World Cup qualifying with win, Poland falters

Posted September 04, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Denmark's Christian Eriksen, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring against Armenia, during their World Cup Group E qualifying soccer match in Copenhagen, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. (Jens Dresling/Polfoto via AP) The Associated Press

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Christian Eriksen scored for Denmark to begin World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 win over Armenia, while Poland squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Poland captain Robert Lewandowski scored for the sixth consecutive qualifier - with a penalty in the 35th minute after Bartosz Kapustka got the visitors off the mark against Kazakhstan in the ninth.

But two quick goals in the second half from Sergei Khizhnichenko ensured Kazakhstan started Group E with a point in Astana.

Eriksen got Age Hareide off to a good start in the Norwegian coach's first competitive game in charge when he netted the only goal in Copenhagen in the 17th minute, though the Tottenham midfielder failed to convert a penalty in the second half when Armenia 'keeper Arsen Beglaryan saved his spot kick.

Hareide took over from the long-serving Morten Olsen, who had already announced he was stepping down before the side failed to qualify for the 2016 European Championship.

Romania hosted Montenegro later in the other Group E game.

Denmark's Christian Eriksen celebrates after scoring against Armenia, during their World Cup Group E qualifying soccer match in Copenhagen, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. (Jens Dresling/Polfoto via AP) The Associated Press

Armenia's Hrayr Mkoyan, front, eyes the ball in front of Denmark's Nicolai Jorgensen, during their World Cup Group E qualifying soccer match in Copenhagen, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. (Jens Dresling/Polfoto via AP) The Associated Press

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