Denmark boss Åge Hareide is fairly certain a goal will be enough for his side to see off the Irish challenge tomorrow night. Hareide feels Ireland's inability to score goals could lead to their downfall:
It will be enough for us if we score over there because they do not score two goals so often.
In the aftermath of Ireland's scoreless draw in Copenhagen, Hareide looked a frustrated figure, as he partook in a heated exchange with an Irish journalist about the standard of football from his side:
He went on to claim a similar performance to the one given in the first leg would see Denmark qualify.
Hareide, a former team-mate of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill having played alongside him at Norwich, is not the only one reported to be hopeful. The Danish press have reported today that there is "optimism in the national camp" ahead of the fixture.
Optimisme i landsholdslejren: Irland knækker ved dansk scoring https://t.co/XPM2n1PTeg pic.twitter.com/hpHDH9jGqU
— DR Sporten (@DRSporten) November 13, 2017
In Denmark they have a saying "ude er godt - hjemme bedst", which roughly translates to "abroad is fine-for home I pine." A play on this phrase runs on Danish site DR Sporten today "Ude godt, hjemme skidt: Irland får ikke mange point i Dublin" or in English:
Abroad is fine, home is rubbish: Ireland do not get many points in Dublin.
The piece points to our poor home record and hints at an expectation to play more football at home as a hindrance on this side:
It may have something to do with the fact that at home - even though they play a defensive form of football - the pressure is a bit more from their very enthusiastic supporters, as we also experienced in Copenhagen.
It gives the opponents a little more room to play, and I think that the Danish team could be lucky too.
In a competitive home match under O'Neill Ireland have only scored more than once three times, against Gibraltar, Bosnia and Moldova.
Danish sporting magazine Tipsbladet feel's victory could be difficult, given Denmark's success rate when visiting Ireland. However, a scored draw is a distinct possibility and very achievable:
Denmark does not, historically, have a good time when visiting Dublin and Ireland.
Now Denmark may not need a victory, because a goal-winning draw will also be enough, as Denmark will thus be the best for the away-goal rule.
In seven previous matches in Ireland, Denmark has only managed to win one of the showings.
This is a belief apparently shared by the Danish squad. When speaking to the Guardian, Nicklas Bendtner said he thought his side had the advantage heading into Tuesday's clash:
We have a slight advantage given the fact that, if both teams score [in Dublin], we are going to be the ones going through, and that’s why this second game will be a little bit different.
This threat poses a difficult question for O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane, in that Ireland will need to score to advance but also be wary of the double-edged sword that is an away goal. Even if the game was to go to extra-time the away goal rule still stands meaning conceding comes with the very real necessity of scoring twice.
The game takes place tomorrow night, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
SEE ALSO: "National Hero" James McClean Hailed For Poppy Stance At Irish Remembrance Event
