Denmark vs Ireland: 5 talking points

#4 Martin O'Neill the happier manager

The two managers embrace before the game

Ultimately both managers will have mixed feelings on how the game went with positives and negatives on both sides but the Irish gaffer probably has more reason to be happy considering his side were second best for most of the game but still achieved a positive result.

O'Neill would have liked an away goal but in truth, Irish chances were few and far between so they can't be too unhappy that they didn't score. That said, Denmark didn't score either which is obviously a massive plus for O'Neill and his men.

Denmark's coach, Age Hareide will be annoyed that his team didn't take their opportunities and he will believe they probably should have a lead to take with them to Dublin for the second leg. However, he will also be happy that his side didn't allow Ireland to get an away goal and he now carries the advantage of knowing that a score draw would be enough to send Denmark to next summers Finals in Russia.

Overall, O'Neill probably has an edge in the mental battle between the two men as he set his team up to not lose the away leg and that objective was met and he will now set about a plan to finish the job on Tuesday night.