F.C. Copenhagen triumphs in Moscow drama

At the beginning of extra-time, everything looked set for a just 1-0 win for F.C. Copenhagen but then – out of nowhere – Samedov pulled a crazy lob over Christiansen to even things out for F.C. Moscow in this first leg of the Round 1 of the Uefa cup. However, the lions refused to let the Muscovites back in the game. They besieged the Russian penalty box and scored another right in the dying minutes of the game.

By Lars Kristensen

Nobody was sure what to expect from F.C. Moscow who in the last few games seemed to have regained some of last season’s momentum. However, a very determined Copenhagen side simply produced many more chances than their opponents did and almost managed to contain Maxi Lopez and the rest of the FC Moscow stars completely. Certainly, F.C. Moscow’s late equalizer was not justified by the overall run of play and fortunately, the lions needed only the added stoppage time to revert the aggregate score of this crucial tie back to one up for Copenhagen.

Danish international, Thomas Kristensen:

- I really think we played an excellent first half. We created three-four good chances and kept them down to just one. In the second, they push us back a little bit but we still managed to get a few breakaways where we should perhaps have closed the game. Mind you, a draw would not have been e bad result over here; it is just unfortunate that they score right at the end. However, as it happened it became a chance for us to demonstrate our strength as a team by getting that vital second goal.

Goalscorer, Morten Nordstrand:

- Although we were never in complete control of the game, we did produce many opportunities and even though we have had a long break since our previous game, our play is as just good as before. That, and the fact that we managed to score two goals and a win, means that for the moment everything is just perfect.

Match winner, Libor Sionko:

- Obviously, it felt great to score the deciding goal but most important is the fact that we are now in a very comfortable position before the second leg. However, we are not actually through yet and we will have to be very careful in PARKEN because FC Moscow still has s very able offence.

The second leg will be played in Copenhagen at the PARKEN stadium. Kick-off is at 20.45 on Thursday 2 October. However, the next home game is actually this weekend where F.C. Copenhagen takes on the reigning Danish Champions of Aalborg in the domestic SAS Liga. That game starts at 17.30 on Sunday.

Game stats:

F.C. Moscow - F.C. Copenhagen 1-2

0-1 Nordstrand (45, penalty)

1-1 Samedov (90)

1-2 Sionko (90)