FCK downed 3-0 in Belgium

30/09 2011 11:11

Copenhagen’s visit to Standard Liége in their first away game of the UEFA Europa League was always going to be a hotly contested fixture, considering both sides’ desire to finish top of Group B. Roland Nilsson named a strong first XI for the game, with domestic top scorers Dame N’Doye and César Santin both starting.

by Joe Short

The opening was intense, with a close, vocal crowd fuelling a flurry of committed challenges early on. Indeed, Claudemir was given a yellow card just four minutes in for a clumsy challenge in his own half.

FCK eventually got the ball down and began to play, spreading possession across the field in search of an opening. Christian Bolaños found enough space to shoot left-footed at goal, but his blocked effort was son cleared. In the 20th minute Santin wriggled free of Felipe to put Pierre Bengtsson through, but the Swede’s final effort fell short of the mark.

Liége began to make their way into the game as the half progressed, but it was Copenhagen who got the first real sniff of goal on 36 minutes, when neat build-up play left Claudemir free on the edge of the Liége box to drive first time a low shot into the corner of the net. With the Brazilian celebrating, FCK looked to have taken a 1-0 lead until the assistant referee’s flag was noticed. Thomas Delaney was adjudged to be standing in an offside position, although the winger was not interfering with play.

Santin penalty waived away

The chance gone, Copenhagen played out the rest of the half with little opportunities, happy with the 0-0 scoreline. The second half began differently however, as Mohammed Tchite entered the field for Liége. The playmaker boosted the Belgian club’s offensive capabilities, and was soon stretching FCK’s defence. Meanwhile, Santin had a penalty claim rejected after Felipe appeared to foul the striker, but referee Anastassios Kakos waived play on.

Liége’s mounted pressure eventually paid off, as a weak clearance from Christian Grindheim fell kindly to Luis Seija, who struck a sweet volley from the edge of the area which left Johan Wiland with no chance of recovering.

The goal was just the boost the Belgian’s needed. It was now an uphill battle for the Lions, and Nilsson soon made a double substitution, with Thomas Kristensen and Pape Pate Diouf entering the field. However, they failed to capitalise on the re-strengthening, and Felipe made it 2-0 to the home side with a sharp finish at the far post from a corner.

Diouf buries another rejected goal

The second goal took the wind out of FCK’s sails, and soon the weight of constant Liége pace was taking its toll. It was not long before the home side made it 3-0, in simple fashion, with Kanu rising first to thunder home an in-swinging corner with more than ten minutes remaining.

Copenhagen weren’t ready to lie down completely however, and had a good opportunity late on when Diouf struck low to surely add a consolation goal. Referee Kakos had already blown the whistle however, bringing play back for an infringement by N’Doye moments earlier.

FCK had nothing left in them after that, and with the final whistle came just Nilsson’s third competitive loss of his Copenhagen reign. A decent first half should be looked on as a positive for a side still finding their feet on the European stage, and had Claudemir’s goal not been ruled out, the story could have been quite different. Nevertheless, FCK now head home to PARKEN for a big clash against AGF in the Superliga on Sunday.

STANDARD LIÉGE: 3 FC COPENHAGEN: 0

Standard Liége: Bolat, Opare, Felipe, Berrier, Buzaglo, Pocognoli, Seijas, Vainqueur, Kanu, Damme (C), Mbaye.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland (C), Thomsen, Ottesen, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Claudemir, Grindheim, Bolaños, Delaney, Santin, N’Doye.

Goals: Seijas, Liége (57’), Felipe, Liége (72’), Kanu, Liége (79’).

Referee: Anastassios Kakos.