Who the hell do the Danes think they are?
Wes Hoolahan has been proving people wrong his entire life. It looks like he’ll have to convert a few Danes next month.
Ireland have been drawn to face Denmark, over two legs, in the World Cup 2018 qualifier playoffs. The draw took place in Zurich, this afternoon, and Ireland avoided Italy, Switzerland and Croatia to land a November double-header in Copenhagen and Dublin.
Many Irish fans were getting carried away with the draw but, as we noted, so were the Danish supporters. Come November 14, we’ll know who was right and who is heading to Russia.
Perusing the Danish media, and social media posts from their football reporters, there is clear respect for Ireland but most expect their country to beat Martin O’Neill’s men.
Over on BT, their chat with Eurosports’ Morten Bruun elicited a narrow prediction in Denmark’s favour. “No-one imagines we are going to walk over the Irish,” said Bruun, but, player for player, Denmark has a stronger team… I would say [the game is] 60/40 in Denmark’s favour.”
Lars Tjaernås was confident Åge Hareide would lead Denmark to the World Cup in Russia next summer.
Tipsbladet noted that Ireland and Denmark have met 13 times, with only three wins for the Danes. Indeed, Steve Staunaton’s Ireland beat them 4-0 in a friendly on their last encounter.
The Copehagen Post did report that Hareide was keen to avoid Sweden and Greece in the playoffs and would have taken a match-up with either Northern Ireland or ourselves.
Over on Extrabladet, Ireland boss Martin O’Neill was described as a “legend” while our ‘litter of Premier League players’ was also mentioned. When it came to Ireland’s three key players, the media outlet went for:
- James McClean
- Ciarán Clark
- Shane Long
While few would argue with the McClean shout, and Clark has formed a solid defensive partnership with Shane Duffy, Long may have been selected on reputation and past deeds rather than current form.
The Tipperary native has scored some crucial goals for Ireland over the years, including strikes against England and Germany, but he only found the net once in Ireland’s qualifying campaign and has not scored a goal for club and country since February 11.
Like Giovanni Trapattoni, Staunton, Alex Neil and O’Neill himself, it seems Wes Hoolahan has been overlooked again. The attacking midfielder may be in the twilight of his international career but may yet prove the man that unlocks the Danish defence.
Other ‘key player’ options include Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler [suspended for the first leg], Shane Duffy, Daryl Murphy, Darren Randolph, Harry Arter, Seani Maguire, Ctrus Christie…
You can’t please everyone.
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