2-0 win in season opener
With the summer departures of much of the first team squad, many have questioned if Roland Nilsson’s new-look FC Copenhagen side can reach the heights of success achieved last season. In his first competitive match in charge, Nilsson selected a side relatively unused to each other, a new captain, but in SønderjyskE’s Haderslev stadium, a familiar surrounding.
by Joe Short
The iconic names of Pospech, Antonsson, Wendt, Kvist and Grønkjær may not be there any more, but Nilsson still had a solid squad to choose from for the opener of the 2011/12 Superliga season. Two new signings, Johnny Thomsen and Christian Grindheim, were rewarded for their form in pre-season with starting places, while Ragnar Sigurdsson and Pape Pate Diouf took to the bench. Returning Bryan Oviedo and Morten Nordstrand were also selected in the squad.
Copenhagen got off to a fine start, but it was SønderjyskE who looked the more dangerous early on, when Henrik Fabricius went to ground in a collision with Sölvi Ottesen. However, the Icelander’s tackle was true and prevented referee Kenn Hansen from pointing to the spot.
Going forward FCK looked promising. Both full backs surged past their wingers to get balls into the box. However, while this tactic appeared to be working, a more direct approach drew the season’s first blood. Claudemir found Dame N’Doye on the edge of the SønderjyskE area, who played César Santin in first time. The striker resolutely struck the ball home to give FCK a 15-minute 1-0 lead.
FCK control possession
The Lions continued to dominate play, but it was again the home side that looked more threatening as the half progressed. A Jarl André Storbæk effort kept Johan Wiland on his toes in the FCK goal, while at the other end only a slice from Santin and an N’Doye blast over the crossbar was all Copenhagen could muster.
After the break Nilsson’s side seemed to lose their flow of the game, and although they maintained the majority of possession, the SønderjyskE defence was resolute. It took almost 20 minutes for something special to materialise. N’Doye did well to control a forward ball, flick it up for himself and deliver a somewhat theatrical scissor kick down the line. The effort turned out to be the perfect pass for Santin, who picked it up and crossed for the on-coming Thomas Delaney. Unfortunately the winger couldn’t reach the ball across goal in time.
On he hour mark Delaney came off to be replaced by Christian Bolaños, and while the FCK possession held strong, SønderjyskE were always looking to counter attack. Gradually however, the home side pushed further up the field in search of an equaliser, offering greater gaps behind the defence for Copenhagen to exploit.
N’Doye secures victory
These gaps Nilsson noticed, and so introduced Diouf to the equation. However, caution still had to be taken at the back, as with five minutes remaining Henrik Hansen thundered an effort off Wiland’s post, the keeper beaten.
However, in a final attack on Wiland’s goal, FCK picked up a loose ball and sent it forward with seconds remaining. It eventually found N’Doye who, with grace and ease, rounded goalkeeper Nathan Coe to slot home for 2-0.
The win maintains two records Nilsson has already established. After four games in charge, Nilsson has neither lost a tie nor even conceded a goal. Copenhagen’s next challenge is on Wednesday, where English side West Ham United visit PARKEN, in preparation for FCK’s UEFA Champions League qualification campaign.
SØNDERJYSKE: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 2
SønderjyskE: Coe, Larsen, Østil, Troest, Storbæk, Bechmann, Thomas Hansen, Henrik Hansen, Jónasson, Hédinsson, Fabricius.
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Thomsen, Zanka, Ottesen, Bengtsson, Claudemir, Grinheim, Kristensen, Delaney, N'Doye, Santin.
Goals: Santin (15’), N’Doye (90’).
Referee: Kenn Hansen.
