WUHAN (China), Sept 15: A much-fancied Denmark beat a determined but outclassed New Zealand 2-0 on Saturday to keep alive their slim hopes of advancing to the knockout stage in the women’s soccer world cup.

Captain Katrine Pedersen found the back of the net first on a well-struck free kick in the 61st minute following New Zealander Maia Jackman being booked for a questionable foul on advancing striker Maiken Pape near the penalty area.

Denmark rammed home their advantage five minutes later as a tiring New Zealand were again penalised, paying dearly for their errors once again when Cathrine Paaske Sorensen snapped home a header.

It gave the Danes a key, if unconvincing, victory in Group ‘D’ and sent the inexperienced but tough-defending Kiwis all but packing from the tournament.

For Denmark it was a do-or-die match. After losing 3-2 to rivals China in their opening game, they struggled to finish off the New Zealanders, helped by the defensive efforts of Captain Rebecca Smith and the experienced Jackman.

Anne Dot Eggers Nielsen was instrumental in her duties as midfield general for Denmark but the veteran of 112 international caps warned they would not beat Brazil in their final group game unless they picked up their intensity.

The sixth-ranked Danes were also missing their Coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller who is serving a two-game suspension for unsportsmanlike behaviour. The lack of a steady hand showed against a side ranked just 23 in the world.

The New Zealanders had little offense to speak of but the Danes, who have also been distracted by a case of alleged spying, were unconvincing in their attacks, littered with listless passing and wide shots at the goal.

The Kiwis, who were hammered by Brazil 5-0 on Wednesday, face China in their final group fixture on Wednesday.

Mathematically they are still in the hunt but it would be a fortuitous calculus that would see them through.

“We’re not out of it,” said New Zealand Coach John Herdman, before jokingly explaining the complex formula that would allow his team to qualify.

Earlier Canada pushed its claim for a quarterfinal berth and eliminated Ghana with a 4-0 win, behind two goals from Christine Sinclair. Sophie Schmidt and Martina Franko also scored for Canada.

Two losses from two games means Ghana cannot progress, while Canada’s fate will rest on the outcome of its last Group ‘C’ game against Australia on Wednesday.

Fellow Group ‘D’ teams China and Brazil play later on Saturday. — AFP