4-2 win in Herfølge

07/08 2011 19:21

After returning from Ireland with a win and European progression under their belts, the FC Copenhagen squad travelled south of the Danish capital where HB Køge awaited the Superliga champions.

by Joe Short

Køge, newly promoted from the Danish first division, were without a win in any of their first three Superliga matches. Copenhagen, on the other hand, had claimed seven points from the same number of games.

While FCK were still getting used to the Herfølge turf, Køge almost took the lead. On two minutes Adeola Runsewe rattled Johan Wiland’s post with a hard shot from close range. Køge were evidently up for the fight, and continued to pressure Copenhagen in the early stages.

The Lions were penned back so much in fact that Christian Bolaños found excuse to go for goal from the halfway line, the ball landing on the roof of the net. Claudemir then squandered a good chance on 16 minutes, as he failed to keep down a prodded effort from inside the box. However, regardless of Køge’s pressure, FCK contained them well, and in the 20th minute took the lead.

Diouf gets his first FCK goal

Pape Pate Diouf still hadn’t scored for his new club before the game. That all changed when Bolaños curled in a corner for Diouf to rise at the back post and head in for 1-0. Moments later César Santin ran in on goal but his effort was blocked: while Dame N’Doye had a perfect opportunity to score an open goal, but his header fell into the fans behind the net.

N’Doye almost turned provider on 33 minutes, receiving a pass from Bolaños before turning Brad Rusin and playing across goal. Mathias Zanka stretched out a leg but couldn’t reach the ball. This turned out to be the last major threat on either goal for the half, as FCK contained themselves: happy to see Køge keep possession at the back.

The second half began with a burst of action, which resulted in a Køge equaliser on 47 minutes. Wiland tipped a shot wide for a corner, but the resulting cross caused confusion in the Lions area, and Andreas Sørensen swung a boot out to smash HBK back into the game. Five minutes later and again N’Doye almost assisted an FCK goal, but Santin’s chip over goalkeeper Morten Jensen was too heavy.

Santin tried a diving header soon after which failed, as Copenhagen pushed forward in pursuit of another goal. They wouldn’t have long to wait, as just after the hour mark Bolaños crossed to the far post where Diouf lurked again. However, rather than go for goal the striker nodded back to the centre where Santin controlled, turned and poked past the on-rushing Jensen.

Penalty saved!

The 2-1 scoreline only served to rejuvenate the home side. Zanka was the only thing blocking Lee Rochester from a sure goal, cutting out a low cross two yards from the line, before Wiland pounced on the loose ball. Seconds later Rusin crashed an effort off the crossbar before it fell to Thomas Christensen, but he couldn’t finish either.

The tension was rising as the final 15 minutes approached. Køge continued to throw men forward but FCK were defiant in search of a goal. They should have had one when N’Doye was fouled by Thomas Sørensen in the HBK box, referee Jokob Kehlet awarding the Senegalese a penalty. With Santin – FCK’s usual spot kick taker – off the field, N’Doye stepped up himself, only to see Jensen pull off a sublime save.

As N’Doye held his head in his hands, Pierre Bengtsson went over to take the corner. 20 seconds later and the FCK fans were celebrating behind the goal with Morten Nordstrand, who dashed in at the near post to flick in Bengtsson’s ball. The goal was Nordstrand’s second league strike of the season, and gave FCK a 3-1 lead just at the right time.

Goals rain down on Herfølge

Indeed, two minutes later and the relief Copenhagen will have felt turned back to dread, as Tobias Thomsen popped up and gave Køge a lifeline, halving the deficit to 3-2.

What came next was seven minutes of absolute mayhem, as both sides looked score one last time. Køge had their tails up, and while Thomas Kristensen cleared just in time to prevent Runsewe from equalising, Claudemir and Bolaños both had chances blocked at the other end, the latter’s bouncing off the upright and away to safety.

It was not to be HBK’s day however, as with all their pressure on the Lions box they left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack. This Copenhagen exploited in chilling fashion, Nordstrand playing in Johan Absalonsen – who had half a pitch to cover on his own – and who squared right to Claudemir to make it 4-2 with the last kick of the game.

A thoroughly outstand example of the entertainment on offer in the Danish Superliga, both sides can be proud of their contribution to the game. While Copenhagen move top of the league with their three points, Køge manager Aurelijus Skarbalius will know his team will certainly move off bottom spot before long if they play with such determination every week.

HB KØGE: 2 FC COPENHAGEN: 4

HB Køge: Jensen, Sørensen, Christensen, Rusin, Sørensen, Storm, Madsen, Rømer, Christensen, Sørensen, Runsewe.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Kristensen, Zanka (C), Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Claudemir, Grindheim, Bolaños, Diouf, Santin, N’Doye.

Goals: Diouf (20’), Sørensen, HB Køge (47’), Santin (63’), Nordstrand (82’), Thomsen, HB Køge (83’), Claudemir (90’).

Referee: Jakob Kehlet.