Denmark kept under Cech

COPENHAGEN: The Czech Republic hung on to claim a point away to Denmark with a 0-0 draw in their opening World Cup qualifier.

The Danes created several chances but lacked bite in the final third. The home side’s best chance of the opening period fell to Michael Krohn-Dehli, who fired wide after chesting down a cross from the right in the Group B encounter.

Moments later, Dennis Rommedahl nodded wide as he tried to loop his header from Krohn-Dehli’s pass over keeper Petr Cech. Denmark continued to press in the second half, with seasoned winger Rommedahl tormenting the Czechs with a succession of dribbles, crosses and shots.

Cech had to be on his toes to keep out a Christian Eriksen free kick, and from the resulting corner Andreas Cornelius almost marked his Denmark debut with a goal. The Danes were denied a late penalty when fullback Daniel Wass was bundled over in the area but referee Wolfgang Stark waved away their appeals.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2012.