Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LET’S AV IT
O’Neill happy with draw but warns players they have to improve to get job done back at Aviva
MARTIN O’NEILL admits the Republic of Ireland will have to be better on the ball if they are to reach the World Cup.
But he saluted his players for another dogged, big game performance away from home and insists it is all to play for.
In Copenhagen, O’Neill (inset) said: “We’ll obviously have to be better in front of our home fans – we need to be because we have to score.
“It’s very evenly poised. With the players they possess, they are capable so we might have to score twice to win the game – but we’re capable of doing that too.”
But Denmark boss Age Hareide isn’t so sure and is bullish about his team’s chances heading for the Irish capital.
He bristled at the notion his team played poorly and said: “If we play like this, we’ll win
in Dublin.” He continued: “0-0 is not a bad result and an away goal will be vital as Ireland would need two goals – and they don’t do that many times.”
Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said: “We’re happy they didn’t nick anything on the break, but visiting keeper getting man-of-the-match tells its own story.”
Tottenham ace Christian Eriksen (below) was anonymous when it came to the crunch but Darren Randolph had to make three brilliant saves to deny the Danes.
And in a boost for O’Neill going into Tuesday’s second-leg in Dublin, none of the nine players flirting with suspension who played were booked.
“That was almost remarkable really, I don’t think there was a yellow card in the game,” he said.
It means Ireland should have a full deck to pick from and playmaker Wes Hoolahan could start at the Aviva Stadium as the Boys in Green go in search of goals.
O’Neill said: “It was a tough evening and the pitch was tough as well but we’re in here battling and it’s still all to play for on Tuesday night.
“We set out with a game plan and had one or two chances ourselves,
particularly
Cyrus
Christie doing well down right-hand side.
“We didn’t get the goal and now we have to win a game but I’m pleased with the team, pleased with them putting in a big effort away from home.
“Darren is a very fine goalkeeper and he made really good saves – an excellent one to tip over the bar late on. That’s the way he has been playing for us over the course of the campaign”
Hareide continued to draw on the positives, insisting Denmark remain in the driving seat for
World Cup qualification.
“We created enough chances to win the game,” said the Norwegian. “Ireland will have to get forward more with the crowd pushing them on and that will give us space.
“The Irish defend well and that’s allowed in football. Their strength is defending. All credit to them, they came and defended well. But they only had one chance.”
Leicester City keeper Schmeichel said Denmark were gutted not to win and blamed the poor pitch for not being at their best.
“It’s not the end of the world as they did not get an away goal but it was an horrendous pitch.
“There was no grass on it. We wanted to play incisive football, so it made a difference, but no excuse,” he added.