Australian sports fans rarely boo their national teams but when they do, it is music to an Englishman’s ears. If only the team in red shirts and white shorts handing out a footballing lesson to the chastened Socceroos at Loftus Road last night had been England.

Steve McClaren’s side were otherwise engaged, preparing for the friendly against Spain this evening, but in their absence Denmark revelled in a bit of good old-fashioned Aussie-bashing. Australia may be awesome with bat and ball and handy with a rugby ball but when it comes to the beautiful game, the old enemy still has a lot to learn. Denmark were quicker, fitter and faster and that was just in a first half that was painful viewing for the Australia fans who had packed into the stadium.

There were more famous faces in the directors’ box than on the pitch. Australia were missing seven first-team regulars, including Mark Viduka and Mark Schwarzer, of Middlesbrough, and Lucas Neill, of West Ham United, but English managers had come in search of the stars of the future.

Dennis Wise took his seat first, looking for loan signings that could help to drag Leeds United off the foot of the Coca-Cola Championship, and the former Chelsea midfield player was soon joined by Chris Coleman, of Fulham, and Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager.

Coleman was in West London to run the rule over Patrick Kisnorbo but the Leicester City and Australia centre back had a first half to forget as Denmark raced into a three-goal lead. Mile Sterjovski, the FC Basle midfield player, was at fault for the first Denmark goal, losing possession on the edge of his own penalty area in the fourth minute and presenting Jon Dahl Tomasson with an opportunity that a former AC Milan forward does not waste.

Daniel Jensen increased Denmark’s lead after 27 minutes with a simple header from a cross by Dennis Rommedahl before Tomasson scored the goal of the half ten minutes later. The 30-year-old VfB Stuttgart forward endured a nightmare spell at Newcastle United between 1997 and 1998 but he showed his class by ghosting in at the far post after 37 minutes to finish off a slick Denmark passing move that bemused the Australia defence.

While Denmark were taking a break from their campaign to qualify for Euro 2008 from group F, Australia were in London with half an eye on their first appearance in the Asian Cup in July. Graham Arnold’s team are one of the favourites to win the tournament, which will be held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, and luckily for the Socceroos they are unlikely to come across a side as ruthless and accomplished as Denmark.

The villain of the piece as far as Australia fans were concerned was the only Englishman on the field. Rob Styles is used to being abused in the Barclays Premiership every weekend and the referee is unlikely to have made any new friends Down Under by disallowing two Australia goals.

First-half headers by Michael Thwaite and John Aloisi were ruled out for offside and Styles was the most unpopular man in the ground when he awarded a free kick rather than a penalty when Ryan Griffiths was tripped on the edge of the Denmark penalty area in the 84th minute.

Brett Emerton curled the ball around the Denmark wall to score a consolation but for once an Australia team had to settle for second best.

— Mileage Canberra to London: 10,568

— Copenhagen to London: 608

Star man

Jon Dahl Tomasson There are some Newcastle United fans who still break out in a cold sweat when anyone mentions the Denmark striker’s name. The forward scored three goals on Tyneside between 1997 and 1998 but scored twice last night

New face

Daniel Jensen The Werder Bremen midfield player caught the eye with an energetic display in midfield and scored the second goal with a well-timed run into the box. Watching Barclays Premiership managers will have noted his authority

Entertainment

Better than Neighbours or cricket. Watching Australia lose is always worth the price of admission

Teams

Australia (4-5-1): M Petkovic — B Emerton, P Kisnorbo, M Thwaite, S Chipperfield — M Sterjovski, V Grella, T Cahill (sub: R Griffiths, 47min), J Skoko, B Holman — J Aloisi. Substitutes not used: S Stefanutto, B Jones, J Burns, J McKain, N Kilkenny, S McDonald.

Denmark (4-5-1): T Sorensen — L Jacobsen, M Gravgaard (sub: P Kroldrup, 76), D Agger, N Jensen — M Jorgensen (sub: C Jensen, 71), T Kahlenberg, C Poulsen, D Jensen (sub: R Wurtz, 66), D Rommedahl (sub: J Gronkjaer, 46) — J D Tomasson. Substitutes not used: B Priske, J Christiansen, M Nordstrand.

Referee: R Styles.