3-1-victory in season-opener
Photo: Lars Rønbøg, Sportsagency.dk
by Joe Short
Lions head coach Ståle Solbakken had to contend with the fact new Brazilian signing Claudemir was unavailable to make his debut for the club in FCK’s opening game at Haderslev, while Jesper Gronkjaer was serving a suspension from the previous season.
SønderjyskE controlled possession in the opening phases of the match, while the Lions struggled to get their game together. A long ball by the home side’s defence in the 18th minute saw Kenneth Fabricius twist his way past Sölvi Ottesen in the penalty area before he fell to the ground. The referee gave a very disputed penalty, which not only surprised Sölvi and his teammates but also Fabricius himself... However, the spot kick was coolly slotted home by Hansen to give SønderjyskE a 1-0 lead.
Soon after, Fabricius ran clear of the Copenhagen back line, only to see his effort magnificently saved by Johan Wiland at a tight angle.
The Lions’ produced a good chance on the half hour mark, when a free kick lofted in by Martin Vingaard caused a clash of heads between Ottesen and Søren Frederiksen, with the ball almost creeping under the goalkeeper’s body. Both players were treated for head injuries, with Frederiksen receiving extended treatment on the sideline for a few minutes.
Another free kick just five minutes later by Vingaard brought the best out of the Sønderjyske keeper, but the away side’s biggest chance of the half fell to N’Doye just before half time. A misjudged header by Stryger set up a perfect volley opportunity for N’Doye, but his effort was saved well by Coe in goal.
A substitution at the break by Solbakken saw César Santin enter the field for Nørregaard as Ståle Solbakken changed the formation to 4-3-3, and immediately after half time the Brazilian showed his influence on the game with a neat turn to beat two defenders and send a low pass across the face of goal. A deflection off Michael Larsen saw the ball nestle in the back of the Sønderjyske goal.
Chances came quickly after the goal for FCK, with Zdenek Pospech and N’Doye both coming close with long-range efforts. N’Doye then had two headers, both from corners, fired just inches wide of the net.
The breakthrough came however in the 81st minute. A neat precision cross from Vingaard on the right hand side curled behind the home defence. Before recent substitute Kenneth Zohore could reach the ball, Anders Østli stuck a boot out, deflecting the ball into the far corner to give Copenhagen a 2-1 lead.
Two minutes later a counter-attacking run by Zohore created space for Vingaard to control a pass and shoot direct at the goalkeeper. The ball bounced out of Coe’s hands and span into the empty net to secure the win and three points for Copenhagen to kick off their Superliga campaign.
F.C. Copenhagen line up: Johan Wiland - Zdenek Pospech, Sölvi Ottesen, Mikael Antonsson, Oscar Wendt - William Kvist, Hjalte Nørregaard (46.: César Santin), Thomas Kristensen, Martin Vingaard (87.: Thomas Delaney) – Ailton Almeida (69.: Kenneth Zohore), Dame N’Doye.
