2-2 draw against Silkeborg

Round 8 of the Superliga witnessed top verses bottom, as FC Copenhagen welcomed Silkeborg IF to PARKEN to resume league focus after the international break.

 

By Joe Short

Christian Bolaños was handed his immediate debut for the home side on the right wing, as coach Ståle Solbakken moved fellow Brazilian Claudemir into a central midfield position to partner William Kvist. FCK’s other recent signing, Søren Frederiksen, was given a place on the bench.

 

It was almost a dream start for Bolaños, who, with just two minutes on the clock, played his first involvement in an FCK shirt. His 20-yard low free kick certainly caught goalkeeper Lasse Heinze off guard, but the effort glided wide of the right hand post.

 

Six minutes later, and it was Silkeborg’s turn to test the goal with a free kick, but FCK defended well to clear the danger; the only real threat by either side for the following ten minutes.

 

However, the slow start produced a surprise goal on 18 minutes. With the game evenly shaped, Silkeborg’s Martin Svensson turned back from a challenge by Oscar Wendt, to swing in a cross towards striker Kaimar Saag. Neither Saag nor his marker Mathais Zanka could reach the ball, as it sailed over everyone and crept into the far corner of the goal: Johan Wiland and the whole of PARKEN stunned.

 

Indeed, the lead seemed to surprise the away side, who immediately sat back after the goal. Some neat one-touch passing from the Lions almost set Bolaños through, but was waved offside before he could get a shot away. On 23 minutes, Cesar Santin worked his way into a goalscoring position in the right of the box, but his effort was well blocked by Christopher Poulsen before it could threaten Heinze’s goal.

 

On the half hour mark Santin had another half chance on goal. Claudemir threw a long ball in from the right, only to see it bounce all the way through the box to Santin at the back post, but, having made his run slightly too early, the Brazilian could only watch as the ball bounced over his head.

 

Four minutes later and again Santin had an effort blocked – this time after some skillful juggling on the edge of the area gave the striker space to turn, but fire straight at Heinze. Two minutes after that, and the resilient front man had possibly his best chance of the half, when a Wendt through ball saw him bearing in on goal, but his prodded effort was well saved by the trailing leg of Heinze.

 

At the other end, FCK were almost the victims of slow defending, as Zanka was second best to a 50-50 ball with Martin Ørnskov in the Lions’ area with five minutes before half time. Ørnskov carried the ball almost to the by-line and, four yards from goal, tried to sneak the ball between Wiland and the near post. The FCK keeper was too quick however, and produced a good block to dispel the danger.

 

The second half started at a fast pace, with both sides evidently eyeing a victory. First, Saag flicked a cross towards goal that was easily saved, while Santin arguably had claim for a penalty at the other end. The referee had no hesitation to book the player for simulation however.

 

Copenhagen looked to be clawing their way back into the game, when a direct attack from Silkeborg put the away side 2-0 up. A through ball was well read by Saag, who got in behind Zanka and Antonsson to gather the ball in the area and deftly chip over the outcoming Wiland into the net, much to the away fans’ delight.

 

The Copenhagen reaction was all-out attack, a tactic that paid off within three minutes of the re-start. FCK, having penned their opponents back to their own penalty area, were sensing a goal. And it came quickly: Martin Vingaard worked his way into space on the edge of the area and fired a driven effort at the goalkeeper’s waist. Heinze couldn’t hold the shot, spilling the ball for Santin to blast home comfortably from within the six yard box.

 

The relief around PARKEN was evident, and it soon turned into joy as two minutes after the first, Copenhagen got their second to bring the match level. Wendt delivered an in-swinging free kick on the right, which met Dame N’Doye in the centre of the area. All the Senegalese had to do was provide the slightest of glances, for the ball to redirect into the far top corner of the goal.

 

With half an hour remaining FCK were sensing a winner. First, Santin was played through and chipped the keeper, but was unfortunate not to notice the offside flag. Bolaños then headed a cross for Santin, which was cut off before the striker could finish, while Zanka had an effort of his own blocked en route to goal on 64 minutes.

 

Confusion in the Silkeborg defense on 78 minutes gave Copenhagen a rare penalty area free kick opportunity, as the referee adjudged Heinze of picking up a back pass from his defender. N’Doye stood poised to lay off to Vingaard, but instead passed across the box to his teammates, but three stood unaware and were unable to react quick enough, half the goal gaping wide open.

 

With eight minutes to go, Vingaard created his own scoring opportunity, but his shot hit Heinze, while Zdenek Pospech could only scuff a left-footed effort well wide of the goal. Silkeborg, in reply, could arguably have scored on a counter attack, but Kvist was patient in his defending to swipe the ball away from Svensson at the last second.

 

The closing stages produced little in chances for either side, as Silkeborg looked to frustrate the home team. Only a Vingaard corner that flashed across goal but was headed off the line could excite the crowd, as both sets of supporters resigned themselves to a 2-2 draw.

 

Nevertheless, the draw means Copenhagen keep their comfortable cushion at the top of the league, while Silkeborg look to chase down the fleeing pack at the lower end of the ladder.