Hareide and O’Neill target away goals

Martin O’Neill and Denmark manager Age Hareide have both outlined the importance of away goals ahead of November’s two-legged World Cup play-off.

64 year old Hareide claims a 0-0 draw in Copenhagen in the first leg would not be “a disaster,” and said the Danes’ minds will be on an away goal.

“They are good at defending, and therefore we need some patience when we get to the park,” Hareide told TV2 Sport.

“Ireland has just over 500 successful passes on the last third. We have about 1,100 passes on that part of the (pitch). It shows what we emphasise.

“Nil-nil in Parken is not a disaster, because a goal away from home can mean a lot. A goal away from home will put a lot of pressure on the opponent, and we’ll keep that in mind.”

His comments echo those of Martin O’Neill, who also emphasized the importance of an away goal on Friday.
 
“I think we have to try and score a goal, an away goal,” the Republic of Ireland boss said.
“That’ll be the first thing you’d be thinking about.

“I think there’s a bit of a change – hopefully not in terms of attitude – but in terms of what is important.

“We want to be going to Dublin still well in the tie.”

 Hareide and O’Neill are already well acquainted, having played for both Manchester City and Norwich City together during the 1980s in England.
 
Denmark announced their squad for the play-offs earlier today, and the major surprise is that Ajax prodigy Kasper Dolberg is only on the standby list.
 
Spurs playmaker Christian Eriksen is the Dane’s biggest threat, and O’Neill says the boys in green will have to mark the midfielder tightly.
 
“I think (Christian) Eriksen has become as important to Denmark as Gareth Bale is to Wales.”
 
“I think you have to try and get close enough to him for a start so that he’s not running the show, and that he’s not running the show from very difficult positions for us. In other words, 30 yards outside the box.
 
“If we can get to a stage where he has to go and retrieve the ball from further back, the further back he is the better for us. We’ll have to deal with it.”