Striker Isaac Kiese-Thelin spooned a late shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy as his Sweden side were held to a goalless draw by Denmark in their pre-World Cup friendly at the Friends Arena on Saturday. On a balmy evening, both sides took the opportunity to ease some players back into the fold in a feisty friendly featuring plenty of direct football and a few meaty challenges. The visitors were without Tottenham star and talisman Christian Eriksen for the friendly as he and his partner were expecting the birth of their child. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next FIFA WORLD CUP 2018 SQUADS: All the players called up by... Denmark change their national anthem in honour of 2018 World... Real Madrid 'want Christian Eriksen to replace Luka Modric'... Barcelona close in on Antoine Griezmann deal for 'affordable... Share this article Share MATCH FACTS SWEDEN: (4-2-2) Olsen; Krafth (Lustig 74), Lindelof, Granqvist (Jansson 46), Olsson; Durmaz (Larsson 83), Hiljemark, Ekdal (Svensson 46), Forsberg; Berg (Rohden 65), Toivonen (Thelin 65) SUBS NOT USED: Johnsson (GK), Nordfeldt (GK); Augustinsson, Claesson, Guidetti, HelanderGOALS: NoneBOOKINGS: NoneCOACH: Janne AnderssonDENMARK: (4-2-3-1) Schmeichel; Dalsgaard, Kjaer (Vestergaard 63), Christensen, Larsen; Kvist, Delaney; Poulsen (Fischer 77), Krohn-Dehli (Schone 60), Sisto (Braithwaite 46); Jorgensen (Dolberg 73)SUBS NOT USED: Lossl (GK), Ronnow (GK); Ankersen, Jensen, Zanka, Knudsen, LeragerGOALS: NoneBOOKINGS: NoneCOACH: Age HareideREFEREE: Tobias Stieler (Germany)VENUE: Friends ArenaATTENDANCE: 41,558 The playmaker did not travel with his compatriots to Stockholm and his presence was greatly missed.The 26-year-old has been the driving force behind Denmark's excellent qualifying campaign for this month's World Cup, having scored eight goals for his country.Before the game, Danish head coach Age Hareide explained Eriksen's absence at a press conference.'The baby was due yesterday [on Friday], and he stays home in Odense and meets us on Tuesday again if nothing happens. He's on standby for that.' Hareide conceded that Eriksen's absence did cause somewhat of a selection headache and it proved he was right as Denmark struggled to create any clear-cut chances throughout the majority of Saturday's friendly.'We have to try to find someone who can fit [Eriksen's] role. We have different players, but we've also got a new man into the squad.'Deportivo La Coruna’s Michael Krohn-Dehli, who was Eriksen's replacement as the creative force in the side, failed to make the same impact against Sweden and was substituted midway through the second half. Forsberg's best effort came late in the game with a mazy dribble to tee up Kiese-Thelin, but his first-time shot flew harmlessly over the crossbar. Denmark midfielder William Kvist has been out of favour recently at FC Copenhagen but he quickly slotted into a defensive role alongside Thomas Delaney to cancel out the creative threat of Emil Forsberg.