FCK and AaB share points

by Joe Short

Head coach Ariel Jacobs handed Igor Vetokele his first start of 2013 after his crucial goal for FCK last weekend and Andreas Cornelius joined the striker up front. Christian Bolaños earned his first comeback since injury while Michael Jakobsen took up the left-back position.

Copenhagen looked strong going forward but lacked the cutting edge and Nicolai Jørgensen was the first to threaten after 13 minutes when the winger cut inside from the left and curled an effort wide of Nicolai Larsen’s far post.

Six minutes later and FCK had the ball in the back of the net after Vetokele nodded in Jørgensen’s headed effort but referee Michael Johansen had already blown for a foul committed by Andreas Cornelius. At the other end Johan Wiland did well to get down to a glanced AaB header from a corner as FCK’s defence held a solid high line.

Aalborg take the lead

Midway through the first half FCK’s midfield began to push through the AaB pack and Vetokele almost found Christian Bolaños’ deep run during a counter attack. Jørgensen also volleyed over the bar from close range while on 30 minutes Wiland was lucky Søren Frederiksen failed to convert the goalkeeper’s fumble.

Five minutes before half time and AaB took the lead from the spot when Bolaños lunged into a challenge with Jakob Ahlmann. The winger appeared to get some of the ball but not enough in the mind of referee Johansen, who blew for a penalty immediately. Nicklas Helenius stepped up and calmly slotted home the opener.

Copenhagen almost hit back immediately but Jørgensen clipped the crossbar with a rasping effort after running across the edge of the box and Thomas Delaney glanced a header narrowly wide a minute before half time.

Bolaños hits back fast

Only the team knows what Ariel said at half time but whatever it was it clearly worked as FCK equalised two minutes after the break. Following a bout of heavy pressure around the AaB box Bolaños finally found space on the right to chip over Larsen and into the far side of the net for 1-1.

Seven minutes into the half and Cornelius picked up a long ball before sending a neat volley into Larsen’s hands while at the other end Helenius hooked a low effort wide of Wiland’s left-hand post.

On 66 minutes Claudemir went down after an aerial challenge and needed medical treatment before re-entering the game clutching his shoulder, while Vetokele left the field for César Santin.

Penalty to Copenhagen

FCK continued to ask questions as the game entered the final 20 minutes. Bolaños hit the crossbar with a curling free kick while at the other end Helenius did well to drop off Kriss Stadsgaard but his final effort blazed over the crossbar. AaB also proved a threat on the counter when Søren Frederiksen bombed forward off an FCK corner and the midfielder was unlucky not to find Wiland’s bottom corner.

Seven minutes from time and FCK earned a penalty when Ahlmann bundled into the back of Cornelius but the striker saw his effort magnificently saved as Larsen dived to his right to parry away. The game suddenly stretched as both sides hunted for a goal but no one could breach either defence; Rurik Gislason having the best effort but finding the crossbar late on.

The draw means FCK maintain their 10-point Superliga lead over Nordsjælland in the Superliga and face AGF at PARKEN next week.

AAB: 1 FC COPENHAGEN: 1

AaB: Larsen, Dalsgaard, Petersen, Nielsen, Ahlmann, Kusk, Augustinussen, Kristensen, Thomsen, Frederiksen, Helenius.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Stadsgaard, Sigurdsson, Jakobsen, Bolaños, Claudemir, Delaney, Jørgensen, Cornelius, Vetokele.

Goals: Helenius, AaB (41’), Bolaños (48’).

Referee: Michael Johansen.