The Czech Republic hung on to claim a point away to Denmark with a 0-0 draw in their opening 2014 World Cup qualifying match in Copenhagen on Saturday.
The Danes created several chances, but lacked bite without star striker Nicklas Bendtner who was serving a one-match ban for revealing a betting company logo on his underpants at the Euro 2012 tournament.
The home side’s best chance of the opening period was made by 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 of the game, with seasoned winger Rommedahl tormenting the Czechs with a succession of dribbles, crosses and shots.
The Czech goalkeeper 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 German referee Wolfgang Stark waved away their appeals.
In the opening Group B games on Friday, Armenia claimed a 1-0 victory in Malta, while Italy and Bulgaria played out a 2-2 draw in Sofia.
RSS