It was a weird atmosphere around the place on Saturday.
Every local you talked to were confident. They not only thought they’d get through the two legs but they thought it would start tonight with a win. 2-0 would be ideal.
Then you spoke to the Irish and they had the confidence about them too – a bit less brash but one which knew that we were here to do a job and the home fans were probably underestimating that job.
Denmark, like so many other teams, got sucked into Ireland’s web and the hosts really weren’t expecting it. They knew Ireland would defend but they didn’t know they would sap the life out of them. They didn’t know they’d lose energy and even interest and they didn’t know that every single ball was going to be a fight for their lives.
They know now.
As the Irish fans sang long into the Copenhagen night after the Danes greeted the final whistle to the 0-0 first leg draw with boos, it was clear that this was job done. The first job at least.
Darren Randolph 9
Randolph the great.
Two solid, solid stops early on from a half volley and a close-range follow-up. Vital late save too and gobbled up high balls for fun.
Cyrus Christie 8
Very few countries boast a back-up right back as reliable and as exciting as Cyrus Christie. He’s not always lighting the place up but when he gets going, you can’t help but feel sorry for him that we can’t just accommodate him somewhere when Coleman is available. Electrifying run and dinked effort really frightened the Danes.
Shane Duffy 8
There really is something so beautiful about watching Shane Duffy win 30/70 headers. The opposition players – whoever you want – watch these balls glide towards them, they know they have the time, the position and the support runs, the whole crowd thinks possession will be retained and then Duffy comes leaping from nowhere as if he has a magnet on his head.
Ciaran Clark 7
Some important clear-outs and covered well for full backs and Duffy at times but had that one hiccup which he generally has in games that presented the ball to Eriksen right in front of the back four. Led to Denmark’s best chance but Ireland survived and Clark resumed as normal.
Stephen Ward 7
Solid. As always. The best thing you can really say about Stephen Ward is that no-one gives out about him anymore. He fits seamlessly into the side and he’s actually very important.
Callum O’Dowda 6.5
Shipped a few big hits but kept picking himself up and going again. Always tried to run at the full back with the rare times he was given the ball at his feet. Couple of moments of skill that thrilled.
Jeff Hendrick 6
Tasked with being the link man – not really on the ball but when we didn’t have it. He was the one who had to close down the defence and then get straight back to make it three in the middle again and he never strayed from his role. Pure discipline.
Harry Arter 6.5
He was doing such a good job at breaking up the play that you started to wonder if he was deliberately limiting himself on the ball so he could go and break it up again.
Robbie Brady 5
He was in possession a lot and he was the one looking up most to find team mates but some of his passes went astray and his set piece deliveries weren’t great on the night. Played in the middle and, like the other two, worked tirelessly in the engine room.
James McClean 7
You could see him getting frustrated at some of the decisions of his team mates. The team had a job to do defensively and they all did but McClean was away on a number of occasions and he wasn’t played. Darted across the pitch hounding opponents all night and whipped in a few dangerous balls.
Daryl Murphy 5
It wasn’t a night for strikers.
Subs
Shane Long 5
Took one shot that deflected about 50 feet wide and we didn’t get the corner from it.
Glenn Whelan N/A
Very late sub but in the way during that last-minute bombardment.
Conor Hourihane N/A
Even later sub. Did hack one away from Bendtner at the edge of the box.
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