FCK beat Kalmar 1-0 in Spain

30/01 2012 15:18

FC Copenhagen met Swedish side Kalmar FF in the first match of the Copa del Sol tournament, a mid-season competition used to boost the clubs that play in leagues with a winter break.

Copenhagen put out a strong team; most notably playing new signing Kris Stadsgaard in the heart of defence alongside Sölvi Ottesen. Also in the squad were Costa Ricans Christian Bolaños and Christian Gamboa, the latter playing his usual right-back position.

The Lions’ most dominant plan of attack came from corner kicks, with the Danish Champions peppering the Kalmar box with four corners in a row in the first half, but only a weak header over the crossbar was to result in the pressure.

Dominating the midfield, Copenhagen looked comfortable, spreading the ball wide and trying to make use of both Bolaños and Johan Absalonsen on the wings. Chances were hard to come by however, and it was not until seconds before half time that FCK took the lead they had been looking for.

Morten Nordstrand worked his way clear of the KFF defence, but was taken down by the out-rushing goalkeeper Erit Berisha, with referee Dag Vidar Hafsås awarding a penalty. Cesar Santin stepped up to sweep the ball home and give FCK a 1-0 lead.

At the start of the second half, recently signed striker Mustafa Abdellaoue entered the field for Nordstrand, and the Norwegian was immediately seen positively working hard for his new side.

The second half failed to muster much in front of goal however, with Copenhagen made to shoot from distance, while FCK keeper Kim Christensen was rarely troubled. Abdellaoue did have a couple of half chances, but none seriously threatened the Kalmar goal.

Only in the final minute did KFF create a goalscoring opportunity, but Christensen did well block the one-on-one effort and confirm a victory for Carsten V. Jensen and his side in their first game in Spain.

KALMAR FF: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 1

FC Copenhagen: Christensen, Stadsgaard, Ottesen, Bengtsson, Gamboa, Claudemir, Kristensen, Absalonsen, Bolaños, Nordstrand, Santin.

Goals: Santin (44’, pen.)