IRISH MUST SETTLE FOR PLAY-OFFS
REP OF IRE 1 DENMARK 1
TO avOid the ignominy of missing a tournament for which they are one of the hosts, the Republic of ireland must find a way to win a match — and that looks beyond them right now.
in two years they have won only three competitive games, twice against Gibraltar and once versus Georgia. in truth, they haven’t beaten anyone at all. How then can we expect Mick McCarthy’s side to emerge victorious twice in the space of six days next March?
That is what they must now do to negotiate the play- offs and take their place at Euro 2020, when dublin will stage four matches.
On this evidence and the entirety of a laboured qualifying campaign, a pair of penalty shootouts is their most likely avenue of progress.
For ireland can draw, be sure of that. in six meetings with denmark since 2017, this was the fifth to end all square.
That, however, is no cause to celebrate ireland’s resistance, for it has got them nowhere. You cannot fault their effort — you rarely can — it is the inspiration they are lacking.
‘ Quite clearly we weren’t clinical enough,’ said McCarthy. ‘But my emotions are mixed. i’m immensely proud of the way they performed, especially after going a goal down. i’ve got a few months to prepare for the play-offs now.
‘if we play as well as that against other teams then we can beat them. i thought they were terrific tonight.’
‘Terrific’ was perhaps a stretch. ireland needed to win and they never really looked like adding denmark to that lowly list of Gibraltar and Georgia here, even if their gameplan to arrive at the hour mark goalless was achieved.
On reflection, ireland taking an early lead when thumped 5-1 by the danes in their World Cup play-off two years ago was the worst thing they could have done, so conflicted did Martin O’Neill’s team become with regards to the mentality to stick or twist. There was no danger of that here, however.
The half-hour passed with ireland having barely emerged from their own half. Bizarrely, they began to masquerade as Manchester City — not the one who overload in attack, of course, but the side who take incredible risks in their own six-yard area.
it was scary stuff at times but denmark were showing equally little ambition to score and it was only in the final 25 minutes that the contest took on a different complexion.
as the chill mist descended, the temperature rose inside the aviva and ireland, belatedly, began to attack.
david McGoldrick fired over the bar as he spun inside the area but the home fans were soon slumped back in their seats when denmark broke and Martin Braithwaite poked in from Henrik dalsgaard’s centre.
Wolves defender Matt doherty had been to blame for that concession but he made partial amends with a late header to spark hope.
But ireland just don’t do victories, and that is why they are likely to be looking in on their own party next summer.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (4-2-3-1): Randolph 6; Doherty 7.5, Duffy 6, Egan 6 (Clark 46min, 6), Stevens 6; Whelan 7 (Maguire 82), Hourihane 6 (Robinson 68, 6); Browne 6.5, Hendrick 6, McClean 6; McGoldrick 6.5. Scorer: Doherty 85. Booked: Whelan, McClean. Manager: Mick McCarthy 6.
DENMARK (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel 6.5; Dalsgaard 6.5, Jorgensen 6, Kjaer 6, Stryger 6; Schone 6 (Christensen 84), Delaney 5 (Hojbjerg 13, 6); Poulsen 6, Eriksen 6, Braithwaite 7; Cornelius 5 (Dolberg 33, 6). Scorer: Braithwaite 73. Booked: Schone. Manager: Age Hareide 7. Referee: Felix Brych (Ger) 6.
Attendance: 50,000.