Away victory at AGF

04/11 2012 21:08

FC Copenhagen got back to winning ways in the Superliga on Sunday with a hard-fought 2-0 win away in AGF. Christian Bolaños scored a wonder goal 40 minutes in before Kris Stadsgaard volleyed in a second before the break.

by Joe Short

Head coach Ariel Jacobs started Thursday night’s goalscorers Andreas Cornelius and César Santin up front for FC Copenhagen, with Danny Amankwaa on the bench. Thomas Kristensen came into the centre of midfield while Ragnar Sigurdsson took up his regular position at centre-back.

The game started slowly, with neither side looking to penetrate either defence in the opening throes. Santin saw an effort soar high over the crossbar around 10 minutes in as AGF restricted their opponents to limited space up field.

Cornelius was involved in a late challenge on goalkeeper Steffen Rasmussen just 16 minutes into the game when the striker broke free from his man but a heavy touch landed the ball in Rasmussen’s hands. However, the forward couldn’t stop himself following through and treading on the sprawled keeper, who was forced to leave the field for medical treatment, being replaced by Emil Ousager.

Two goals before the break!

The Lions came close to opening the scoring when Bolaños drew Ousager out of his goal on the right-hand byline but the Costa Rican’s cross was well blocked, while at the other end Stephan Petersen forced Kim Christensen into a low save on 40 minutes.

Christensen’s block would prove beneficial in more ways than one, as FCK immediately hit on the attack from his distribution – the ball falling to Bolaños just inside the AGF half. Bolaños carried it forward unchallenged for 10 yards before rocketing an effort into the right side of Ousager’s goal, the keeper left with no chance.

Seconds before half time it was 2-0, when Cornelius caused real problems in the AGF box after a high Lars Jacobsen cross fell right on the penalty spot. Ousager did enough to palm away but it fell only as far as Kris Stadsgaard, who volleyed home magnificently with his left foot from 10 yards out.

Christensen keeps home side at bay

AGF started the second half the faster and Thomas Delaney conceded a booking six minutes in for a foul on Davit Devdariani, yet they could not breach FCK’s solid defensive line. The game passed the hour mark before the next real goalscoring opportunity: Cornelius’ cross from the left too long for Bolaños who, despite his acrobatics, couldn’t keep the ball in play on the right byline.

Osama Akharraz sent a hard shot over the crossbar on 64 minutes after good work by AGF down their left wing; while Casper Sloth stung Christensen’s palms with a drilled effort form the edge of the FCK box moments later. Copenhagen were being pinned back but only Mate Vatsadze got a shot away before 75 minutes – firing high over.

On 74 minutes Cornelius headed wide a deep cross from the left, his last act as Jacobs brought him off for Christian Grindheim. A flowing move across the AGF box almost resulted in Santin sliding in to score, but he was a foot away from Bolaños’ cross-come-shot from the right.

FCK move four points clear

The Brazilian had an even better chance to score with 10 minutes remaining: glancing a free header way off target after he read Bolaños’ cross perfectly, while Santin hit a wall of legs with a shot from a free-kick in the box after a passback.

Bolaños had another effort blocked by Ousager on 86 minutes, while Amankwaa was given a two-minute run out for Santin. Søren Larsen headed a good effort wide for AGF after a decent cross from Adam Eckersley, before referee Michael Svendsen blew for full time.

AGF: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 2

AGF: Rasmussen, Kirkeskov, Pasanen, Sorin, Eckersley, Petersen, Sloth, Povlsen, Akharraz, Devdariani, Vatsadze.

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

Goals: Boaños (40’), Stadsgaard (45’).

Referee: Michael Svendsen.