Ireland take dull draw from Denmark

UEFA Nations League

Denmark 0-0 Ireland

Republic of Ireland failed to score for the fourth game running as they ended their Nations League campaign with a 0-0 draw in Denmark.

Ireland – already relegated from Group B4 – had little to lose coming into this clash with top-of-the-group Denmark, but played a defensive game despite this being a dead-rubber match.

The hosts created the better chances and Nicolai Jorgensen struck a post after some comical defending by Richard Keogh, but Denmark were very wasteful with their 76 per cent possession and had just one shot on target from 26 attempts.

Martin O’Neill, who handed Southampton’s 18-year-old Michael Obafemi a debut as a second-half substitute, has overseen just one win in 11 games heading into the European Championship qualifying phase.

Debutant Michael Obafemi with his family after the match.

Denmark, who trounced the Republic 5-1 in Dublin 12 months ago, dominated the ball with Lasse Schone, Christian Eriksen and Yussuf Poulsen pulling the strings.

Poulsen produced Denmark’s only effort on target before the break when Darren Randolph dealt with a powerful header.

Eriksen was substituted at the break and Poulsen skied over from close range within two minutes of the restart as Ireland were camped inside their own half.

O’Neill’s men did not make many mistakes but Keogh was guilty when dwelling on the ball and was robbed by Jorgensen, who raced clear but struck his effort against the foot of the post.

Both teams will find out their Euro 2020 group stages opponents on December 2 when the draw is conducted in Dublin.

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