Football
John Brewin, ESPN FC 6y

Denmark boss Age Hareide doesn't expect an attacking Ireland in Dublin

DUBLIN -- Denmark coach Age Hareide does not expect the Republic of Ireland to play attacking football when the teams meet again in Dublin on Tuesday night for a place at the World Cup.

Ireland manager Martin O'Neill had earlier said his team would be more "expansive."

Hareide said he had been satisfied with his team during Saturday's playoff first leg.

"We will build on what we did in Copenhagen, which was very good," he said. "We had the ball a lot and created chances but sometimes you don't succeed. We had to make the game and we expect to do the same here."

On Saturday, Tottenham star Christian Eriksen was peripheral.

"I think we need more from everyone," said Hareide. "It's not only Christian's responsibility. That will be our main goal, to get more from everyone.

"It is easier to stop than create. That's why attacking players are so valuable. Teams try to lock down, that's natural, but we will try to find the space to get him on the ball. They keep it tight. They don't increase the space. They are good at that and that is part of the game.

"We have to take the game to Ireland," he continued. "The different passes and angles, that makes us more dangerous. They just want us to make the mistake. I don't have the patience for that."

Brentford defender Andreas Bjelland said he was expecting another tough, physical battle: "We have to have the fight to match them. We will fight with them if they want to fight."

Earlier on Monday, Ireland midfielder David Meyler said that Ireland's greater "character, heart and desire" would propel his team to Russia, but Hareide was dismissive.

He said: "My thought is that he doesn't know the players. When I started, I didn't know the players. Our player are spread out around Europe. They don't get that far if they don't have the heart to play football."

Unlike Ireland, who O'Neill admitted had been practising penalties, Hareide said his players had not even prepared for spot-kicks.

"Nothing," he said. "I am both superstitious and we won't need them.

"I haven't thought about them."

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