West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen made his senior international debut for Denmark on Thursday night.
Hermansen replaced the injured Kasper Schmeichel in the Danes’ starting line-up for their World Cup qualifying match against North Macedonia.
The Hammers shotstopper kept a clean sheet in an emphatic 4-0 victory and now has his sights set on keeping the No.1 shirt.
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Mads Hermansen warms up before the Premier League match between West Ham United and AFC Bournemouth
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Mads Hermansen wants to replace Kasper Schmeichel as Denmark No.1
Kasper Schmeichel has been Denmark’s first-choice goalkeeper for many years, but he is currently dealing with a shoulder injury.
Plus, at 38 years old, it is probably about time that Leicester City’s Premier League-winning goalkeeper (2015/16) passed the torch anyway.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Filip Jorgensen is also missing from the Denmark squad for the March international break with a groin problem.
Those absences opened the door for Hermansen to make his senior international debut after impressing at West Ham recently.
Mads Hermansen (Denmark) controls the ball during during Semi-final FIFA World Cup Qualification: Denmark and North Macedonia
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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He put in an impressive performance in Denmark’s win against North Macedonia and is set to keep his place against the Czech Republic on Tuesday.
Ahead of Denmark’s World Cup qualifying play-off final, Hermansen opened up on his desire to take Schmeichel’s shirt for good.
“I would very much like to do that,” he told Danish outlet TV 2 Sport. “Then I’ll say yes, thank you, if it becomes an opportunity. But it’s not something you can say that I will be for the next ten years.
“It’s about me performing every single day at the club, continuing to improve and playing good matches. And then I have to make sure I get into the national team with good performances under my belt.
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Malick Diouf playing for West Ham against Newcastle United. Mateus Fernandes playing for West Ham against Tottenham.
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“That’s what it’s all about. Just because I’ve made my debut and maybe get one more game, it doesn’t mean it’s a permanent solution.”
Hermansen certainly helped his chances against North Macedonia, but the real test will come against Hammers teammate Tomas Soucek’s team.
The Czech Republic will be equally determined to make the World Cup and will also have home advantage in Prague.
If Hermansen can come through that battle unscathed, the No.1 shirt will surely become his to lose.
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