To most observers, Group A at the 2016 Rio Olympics Men's Soccer tournament, is all about the host nation Brazil. Everyone expects the hosts to top the group so it's down to the three other teams to make their mark on the tournament and get into the knockout rounds.
Iraq and Denmark faced off earlier this afternoon as they both bid to make the next stage of the tournament and though both teams tried to grab all three points, neither team could manage to put the ball into the back of the net.
Iraq dominates proceedings throughout the first half
Coming into the match, the main story around the Iraq team was of the circumstances back in their home country that directly affect the team but from very early on in the match, it was clear the team was there to prove a point and play soccer. Their possession was at 60% for most of the first half and if their final passes were more clinical, they would have led the game in the first half.
The match did start with Denmark on the front foot as Mikkel Desler got forward from his right-back position to provide a telling cross into the box for Danish captain, Lasse Vibe to latch onto. Unfortunately for the Dane, his effort hit the far post and was eventually cleared by the Iraqi defense. After that, Iraq had no problem finding their way past the Danish back line time and time again.
A flurry of chances fall to Iraq
The first chance that Iraq conjured up came in the sixth minute as Sherko Kareem used his speed to burst past his marker before shooting low towards the far post. Jeppe Højbjerg, Denmark's goalkeeper, had no problems positioning himself well and collecting the effort easily. Next up for Iraq was Humam Tareq who found himself in acres of space in the 11th minute after a long ball from defender Mustafa Nadhim found him behind the Danish defenders and one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Tareq took a touch to round Højbjerg but his second touch let him down and the ball trickled out of bounds. A few minutes later, Amjed Atwan used some good footwork to go by his defender but his cross could not connect with any of his teammates and the ball rolled out for a goal-kick. Twenty minutes in and it was all Iraq who maintained position well and limited any Danish attacks very well.
Denmark creates their own opportunities
Apart from their early chance, Denmark had been kept to rare set-pieces by Iraq and they could not capitalize on any of those free-kicks or corner-kicks. In the 25th minute, the Danes had a free-kick near the halfway line which led to a corner for them when the free-kick was initially cleared. The corner then turned possession over back to Iraq as a free-kick was awarded to Iraq after a foul in the penalty box.
The biggest chances of the half did fall to the Danes though and one minute later, they almost took the lead. Vibe was at the center of things again and his pass found Casper Nielsen who had drifted out wide slightly from midfield. Nielsen took a shot from a bit of a tight angle and Iraq's goalkeeper Mohammed Hameed got a hand to the ball but it bounced high into the air for an on-rushing Nicolai Brock-Madsen to attack. The rebound was cleared by a defender before Brock-Madsen could capitalize and nod the ball in. That was the last real chance of the half.
Adnan's delivery becomes the story of the second half
Denmark had no answer for Iraq in the second half and seemed content to let the game fizzle out for a draw, or win it themselves on a fortunate set-piece. Ali Adnan, Iraq's left-back, was the danger man for them as his free-kicks tested Højbjerg time and time again. His first opportunity came in the 50th minute when after a free-kick was awarded to Iraq, Adnan tested Højbjerg's positioning as he aimed for the far post. Højbjerg was up to the task and tipped the ball past the near post for a corner to Iraq. Adnan's next opportunity came in the 77th minute when Danish defender Jens Jønsson conceded a free-kick after a reckless challenge. Adnan stepped up and swung the free-kick in but his effort went straight at Højbjerg
Adnan's set-pieces were finding their target on a regular basis and his delivery from the flank every time he got forward, was excellent throughout the match and could have resulted in a few assists for the left-back on another day had his teammates found the back of the net, or had Højbjerg's positioning been slightly off.
Substitutions almost win it for Iraq
In the 65th and 66th minutes, Iraq's coach Alghazali Abdulghani, introduced Mohanad Abdulraheem and Mahdi Kamil to try and find the goal Iraq was pushing for. The substitutions almost paid off immediately as a flick on from a goal kick found Abdulraheem who turned Danish defender Pascal Gregor before shooting towards goal but he dragged his effort wide.
Kamil, who had also been lively since he was brought on, had an opportunity to give Iraq the lead as well. Adnan had another free-kick tipped over the crossbar by Højbjerg for a corner-kick in the 88th minute. The left-back then put in a great delivery which deflected off Edigerson Gomes and off the post before Kamil tried to pop it in. Højbjerg was alive to threat and made a spectacular low save to prevent Iraq from winning it late in the game. The ball was cleared out before Adnan crossed it back into a wide open Abdulraheem but the forward could only nod his header just wide of the far post. The last chance of the game fell to Kamil in injury time, but his volley was a tame one and Højbjerg had no problems collecting the ball.
Both teams have been to previous Olympic tournaments but have failed to medal each time. They will be hoping to change that this time around and give their nations something to cheer about at the end of August. This draw might not have been the plan for either team but they will both use it as a platform in their next two matches.