Rio 2016 Men's Tournament: Iraq 0-0 Denmark

With Ali Adnan going close on several occasions, the Iraqis, who dominated for long periods, will no doubt take a great deal of confidence from the result as they look ahead to their remaining Group A clashes with Brazil and South Africa on August 7 and 10 respectively.

Rio 2016 Men's Tournament: Results, Fixtures, Standings

In hot and humid conditions at Brasilia’s Estadio Nacional, it was Denmark who fashioned the first chance, skipper Lasse Vibe thumping a third minute shot against Mohammed Hameed’s right hand post when given time and space ten yards from goal.

Danish appeals for a penalty following Mustafa Nadhim’s challenge on Vibe were then waved away by referee Cesar Ramos, before Denmark’s Casper Nielsen’s angled shot forced Hameed into a smart save with some 25 minutes on the clock.

Iraq, who finished third at January’s AFC U23 Championship to earn their ticket to Rio 2016, responded well though, and came close to taking the lead themselves when Adnan’s free-kick from distance looked to be arrowing into the bottom corner only for Denmark goalkeeper Jeppe Hojbjerg to dive well to his right and divert the ball wide.

Another sublime Adnan set piece on the stroke of half-time saw Hojbjerg produce a fine stop to deny an Iraqi side gathering momentum as the first half progressed.

The 2004 Olympic semi-finalists continued to match Denmark stride for stride after the break, but with premium chances a rare commodity, the Lions of Mesopotamia had to wait until the 67th minute for their next sight of goal, substitute Mohanad Abdulraheem screwing a shot wide when well placed on the edge of the area.

Captain Saad Abdulamir then stung Hojbjerg’s palms with a rasping 73rd minute effort following a fine bustling run, and, just moment later, Adnan tested the Danish custodian’s resolve with yet another accurate free-kick.

Later drama saw the impressive Hojbjerg deny both Adnan and Mahdi Kamil, before, in the game’s dying embers, Abdulraheem flashed a header wide from close range, and Kamil’s spectacular overhead effort was gratefully held by Hojbjerg.