AGF clash ends goalless

by Joe Short

Copenhagen commanded the early phases but failed to threaten AGF’s defence and in the sixth minute Adam Eckersley shot wide of Johan Wiland’s goal in the first attack of the game. It took a further five minutes for FCK to generate their first chance but Andreas Cornelius directed a difficult header wide from eight yards out.

Moments later and César Santin broke through one-on-one against Steffen Rasmussen after a quick free kick from Claudemir, but the striker could only hit the out-rushing goalkeeper in the chest. At the other end Wiland got his gloves dirty for the first time 23 minutes in, diving low to his left to block Osama Akharraz.

Bolaños comes close

Copenhagen continued to hold the ball but it took until just after the half-hour mark for Claudemir to spurn a half-volley wide when Cornelius created a good opening down the right flank.

A superb piece of covering defending from Arthur Sorin kept Nicolai Jørgensen from heading in on 37 minutes, and moments later Christian Bolaños was only denied an opener thanks to a great reflex save from Rasmussen. Jørgensen fed the winger through on the left edge of the box and Bolaños used great skill to jink inside before shooting at the keeper.

It took FCK eight minutes to create their fist chance of the second half but when it came they almost took the lead. Following a deep cross the ball spilled out to Claudemir, whop hit it low and true with his left but Rasmussen was equal to it. Moments later and Santin came off for Igor Vetokele.

FCK spurn late chances

Copenhagen suddenly found their spark and on 60 minutes Bolaños should have done better with a header after Cornelius had bombarded down the left, while Wiland was on hand to match an Akharraz effort on the AGF counter. Claudemir came off for Daniel Jensen shortly afterwards as FCK looked to push forward.

Only a superb last-ditch tackle from Ragnar Sigurdsson prevented Søren Larsen opening the scoring 73 minutes in. Bolaños had a golden double chance to break the deadlock four minutes later but was first denied by an Eckersley block before his overhead-kick rebound deflected to safety.

FCK applied the majority of the late pressure but just couldn’t get past AGF’s sturdy defence. On 84 minutes Jørgensen picked his way through before laying right to Vetokele, but he could only find the stands from the six-yard box.

Copenhagen left their best chance until last and it still wasn’t enough to open the scoring. A blistering counterattack saw Pierre Bengtsson take the ball up the left, chip to Vetokele who flicked on for Jørgensen – the flanker drew the last man before laying right to Cornelius who, with Rasmussen to beat, pulled the trigger only for Anders Kure to block the effort.

That would be the last chance for FCK, who moved a step closer to claiming the Superliga title. The travel to Brøndby next Sunday before a home tie with Esbjerg.

FC COPENHAGEN: 0 AGF: 0

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Stadsgaard, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Bolaños, Claudemir, Kristensen, Jørgensen, Santin, Cornelius.

AGF: Rasmussen, Eckersley, Petersen, Nørregaard, Akharraz, Sorin, Povlsen, Kure, Devdariani, Kirkeskov.

Referee: Michael Tykgaard.