F.C. Copenhagen through
Based on their 4-0 away win from a fortnight ago, F.C Copenhagen were all but certain to go through before the return leg against Cliftonville. Still, the Copenhagen side went into the game with same professional attitude as in the first leg and therefore they tore the North Irish team apart a second time with another huge win.
By Lars Kristensen
As in the first leg, Cliftonville really gave it their best but they were just no match for a very motivated F.C Copenhagen side. Again, Cliftonville were only able to hold F.C Copenhagen off until midway through the first half and from there on it was only a question of how many goals F.C. Copenhagen could manage and actually the team just kept right at it and set a new club record with a 7-0 victory.
Danish international, Niclas Jensen:
They perhaps tried a little harder this time but in reality, they were overmatched. We expected to play well and score many goals and did exactly that.
Coach Ståle Solbakken:
- All our forwards - Ailton, Nordstrand, Junior – scored goals and the new player Thomas Kristensen played an entire game for the first time. In addition, some of our youngsters had their first game for the team in a very pleasant setting so this was really a good game for us on many levels.
He then went on to say:
- We have averaged ten games in Europe for the last two seasons and, naturally, we are looking to repeat the feat. The prospects of this happening are actually quite good since those excellent results from previous years means that this time we have been seeded all the way to the group stage. However, for now we obviously have to focus on the 2nd qualification round.
In the second qualification round, F.C Copenhagen will play the Norwegian Cup-winners of Lillestrøm. The first leg is played at home on August 14 in the PARKEN Stadium - the away game two weeks later.
Game stats:
F.C. Copenhagen – Cliftonville 7-0
1-0 Ailton (23)
2-0 Junior (25)
3-0 Hutchinson (45)
4-0 Kvist (46)
5-0 Nordstrand (55)
6-0 Kristensen (57)
7-0 Junior (60)
