Randolph frustrates Denmark as Ireland grab goalless draw

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Denmark v Ireland - Telia Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Ireland's Callum O'Dowda in action with Denmark's Thomas Delaney. Scanpix Denmark/Lars Moeller via REUTERS

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Goalkeeper Darren Randolph pulled off a string of fine first-half saves as Ireland held Denmark to a scoreless draw in the first leg of their World Cup playoff on Saturday, with the two sides due to meet again in Dublin on Tuesday.

The Irish defended deeply from the first whistle, denying playmaker Christian Eriksen space, but the Danes still managed to fashion half a dozen scoring chances in the first half.

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup qualifications - Europe - Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Republic of Ireland’s Conor Hourihane after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

With his side barely venturing forward in attack, Randolph was called into action early, parrying a stinging volley from Jens Stryger Larsen and smothering an attempt from Andreas Cornelius to hammer home the rebound.

Eriksen and Pione Sisto also went close for Denmark in quick succession, and Randolph tipped over a late header from Yussuf Poulsen to ensure his side escaped from the Danish capital with a draw.

Aimlessly firing long balls forward, Ireland barely threatened the Danish goal and a solo raid by Cyrus Christie at the end of the first half was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup qualifications - Europe - Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Republic of Ireland’s James McClean applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Nicklas Bendtner's arrival as a second-half substitute for Sisto was greeted with roars of approval from the vast majority of the 36,189 fans at the Parken Stadium, but the popular striker did little during his 17 minutes on the field.

Poulsen's late header on target gave the Danes hope of a late winner, but the Irish slowed the tempo even further to close out the game and set up a decisive 90 minutes in Dublin with a place at next year's finals in Russia at stake.

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup qualifications - Europe - Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Denmark’s Simon Kjaer reacts Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

(Reporting by Philip O'Connor,; Editing by Neville Dalton and Pritha Sarkar)

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup qualifications - Europe - Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Denmark’s Christian Eriksen and Nicolai Jorgensen after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup qualifications - Europe - Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Denmark’s Kasper Schmeichel in action with Republic of Ireland’s Daryl Murphy Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup qualifications - Europe - Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Republic of Ireland team group before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup qualifications - Europe - Denmark vs Republic of Ireland - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark - November 11, 2017 Denmark’s Christian Eriksen Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge