Copenhagen win on league return
FC Copenhagen continued their rise up the Superliga table with a 3-0 victory in PARKEN.
by Joe Short
Nicolai Jørgensen’s header, an own goal from AaB’s Lasse Nielsen and Igor Vetokele’s late strike was enough to see off the Jutland side, Copenhagen moving up to sixth in the league and on the verge of European places.
Striker César Santin had the best of the early chances, hitting the post with a neat effort, before Jørgensen nodded in the opener from Christoffer Remmer’s delivery. Another ball into the box, this time from Rurik Gislason, founds its way into the net via defender Nielsen’s stray boot.
Vetokele made it 3-0 with a neat finish after Jørgensen had fought hard for the ball as FCK enjoyed a winning return after the international break.
Lions start brightly
Head coach Ståle Solbakken handed César Santin a start alongside Igor Vetokele while Rurik Gislason and Nicolai Jørgensen took their positions on the wings. The boss kept the same back four as before the break and FCK used it as a springboard to push forward immediately.
Four minutes in Santin broke on the counter and laid off to Vetokele on the right of the area, whose shot was charged down for a corner. The two strikers were proving a handful for the Aalborg defence, running into space down both flanks and stretching play in search of an opening.
AaB enjoyed their first spell of possession after 10 minutes but a flurry of through balls only found Johan Wiland in the FCK goal. Copenhagen were almost through on 21 minutes when Jørgensen and Claudemir linked up well on the edge of the area only to delay the final ball to Santin, who had strayed offside. Moments later and the Brazilian volleyed a half chance over from 16 yards.
Jørgensen heads in the opener
Two minutes later and a superb Wiland save prevented FCK going a goal down. Henrik Dalsgaard worked the ball into a dangerous position on the AaB right before cutting in for Anders Jacobsen, who took a touch past Ragnar Sigurdsson and shot low from close range. Wiland reacted with real instinct, sticking a right leg out to deflect the ball high and wide from goal.
Claudemir once again provided Santin with a goalscoring opportunity only to see his compatriot go close. The midfielder fed Santin in behind the AaB backline just after the half-hour and, unmarked, Santin drilled an effort off the left-hand post and out to safety.
Six minutes before half time Jørgensen sent two wild shots curling into the fans but the winger wouldn’t have to wait much longer for a goal. He headed FCK in front after Christoffer Remmer had taken his time to deliver a swift cross from the right that Jørgensen redirected low past Nicolai Larson for 1-0.
Own goal doubles FCK's lead
AaB began the second half with real forward intent but Copenhagen remained firm in midfield, preventing the away side gaining much ground. They did have a reasonable shout for a penalty on 55 minutes, however, when the ball struck Olof Mellberg’s hand from a corner, but referee Michael Tykgaard was unsighted.
FCK took a slightly fortunate 2-0 lead midway through the second half when Nielsen accidently converted Gislason’s free-kick into his own net. The Icelander fed a neat low delivery into a pack of players that hit Petersen and into the net before Larsen could react.
Daniel Braaten and Youssef Toutouh came on for Santin and Gislason as Ståle made a double change to protect the Lions lead with 22 minutes left. The move was needed as Wiland did well to hold Kasper Kusk’s driven volley from distance while FCK defended doggedly under mounting pressure.
Vetokele makes it three
Thomas Kristensen replaced Claudemir with eight minutes left and FCK wrapped up the game just before the whistle when Vetokele finally got his reward his hard work. Jørgensen held off Emil Petersen to feed the Belgian in on the right side of the box, Vetokele needing no second chance as he slid home his third goal of the season.
FCK now face a trip to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, before the Superliga returns at Randers next Sunday.
FC COPENHAGEN: 3 AAB: 0
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Remmer, Gislason, Delaney, Claudemir, Jørgensen, Vetokele, Santin.
AaB: Larsen, Dalsgaard, Petersen, Nielsen, Ahlmann, Kusk, Würtz, Risgård, Thomsen, Jonsson, Jacobsen.
Goals: Jørgensen (42’), Nielsen, o.g (61’), Vetokele (90’).
Referee: Michael Tykgaard.
