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13.10.2018 at 20:00 Aviva Stadium
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Attendance: 41220 |
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Republic of Ireland |
0 - 0
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Denmark
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Referee: Javier Estrada (Espana) |
Nations League / PROG-match |
Darren Randolph
Shane Duffy
Matt Doherty
Cyrus Christie
Kevin Long
Callum O Dowda
Jeff Hendrick
Harry Arter
Richard Keogh
Shane Long
James Mc Clean
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Kasper Schmeichel,
Simon Kjaer,
Thomas Delaney,
Kasper Dolberg,
Martin Braithwaite,
Mathias Jorgensen,
Henrik Dalsgaard,
Jens Stiger Larsen,
Lasse Schone,
Yussuf Poulsen,
Pione Sisto. |
The Republic of Ireland continued their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 0-0 draw against Denmark at the Aviva Stadium.
While neither side found the net on the night the performance was enough to see Ireland manager Martin O’Neill claim his first point in the competition as they put in a hard-working spirited performance against an in-form Denmark side.
Ireland went into the match with the welcome return of James McClean, who had been sidelined in the defeat to Wales due to injury. Matt Doherty also made his first start for the Republic of Ireland.
Ireland set the early momentum with having the best of the early exchanges, James McClean sent in a threatening cross in to the Denmark area for it to be just too high over Shane Long’s head. Jeff Hendrick curled an effort wide after finding himself one on one with Kasper Schmeichel despite protests of a stop in play.
Ireland continued to press looking most threatening from free kicks, however no Irish player could get that vital final touch. The first real chance of note for Denmark fell to Pione Sisto but his effort was well wide of the mark.
Denmark’s best chance of the first half fell when a short corner routine was sent into the back post which was met on the volley by Kasper Dolberg but he couldn’t keep his effort on target. Ireland were next on hand when Jeff Hendrik sent in a teasing free-kick into the area, after Shane Long was felled, Shane Duffy rose highest however his effort went wide of the goal. Pione Sisto struck the post after cutting inside and curled a great effort that had Randolph beaten, but was denied by the woodwork.
A cagey second half saw Denmark’s Pione Sisto look threatening once again, however his effort went well over the bar as Ireland struggled to get a foothold in the game. Denmark went close again as Simon Kjaer’s goal-bound effort was cleared off the line brilliantly by Harry Arter. Ireland then had a fantastic opportunity to go ahead when Shane Long laid the ball off to Cyrus Christie whose effort had to be well saved by Kasper Schmeichel. Darren Randolph was twice called into action in quick succession with Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney both having attempts on goal but neither were a real test to the Irish custodian.
While both sides will rue missed chances Martin O’Neill will take great comfort from tonight's performance to take into next Tuesday’s match against Wales.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Darren Randolph; Matthew Doherty, Cyrus Christie, Shane Duffy, Callum O’Dowda (Enda Stevens 46); Shane Long (Aiden O’Brien 82), James McClean, Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh, Kevin Long; Harry Arter (Callum Robinson 64).
DENMARK: Kasper Schmeichel, Simon Kjaer, Thomas Delaney, Kasper Dolberg (Andreas Christensen 78), Martin Braithwaite, Mathias Jorgensen, Henrik Dalsgaard, Jens Stiger Larsen, Lasse Schone, Yussuf Poulsen, Pione Sisto.
Referee: Javier Estrada (Espana). |
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