FCK win Champions League tie in Belfast

Rasmus Falk scored on his FC Copenhagen debut as the Lions got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start in Belfast.

Goals from Federico Santander and Andreas Cornelius saw FCK two up at the break against Crusaders in this Champions League second-round qualifying first leg.

And Falk side-footed home in the second half to round off a man-of-the-match display.

Cornelius and Santander both went close to doubling their tallies, while Gavin Whyte proved to be Crusaders’ deadliest threat at the other end.

The Lions will take the result back to Denmark for the reverse fixture in Telia Parken next Tuesday - but not before their first Alka Superliga game of the season, at home to Lyngby, this Saturday.

Strong start to the season

Copenhagen headed to Northern Ireland less than a week after returning from their pre-season tour of Austria.

For Erik Johansson and Ludwig Augustinsson, Seaview was a far cry from their Euro 2016 experience with Sweden, which ended at the group stage in France this summer.

Falk made his competitive debut for the Lions in a midfield alongside Thomas Delaney, William Kvist and Kasper Kusk, while fellow summer arrival Jan Gregus started on the bench.

Crusaders drew FCK in this second round of Champions League qualifying courtesy of their NIFL Premiership title victory last season - their second championship on the bounce.

Copenhagen, crowned champions of Denmark at the end of May, enjoyed much of the opening possession and took the lead with their first effort on goal.

After plenty of possession in the middle of the field the Lions forced a corner on the left six minutes in. Santander beat his man to Augustinsson’s outswinger to head neatly into the bottom corner of the net.

Shortly after Falk breakaway through Crusaders’ ranks almost sent Andreas Cornelius in on goal - Falk certainly the liveliest midfielder on the park - but Crusaders enjoyed success themselves from the set piece as Declan Caddell twice went wide of the mark.

Whyte’s spectacular chest and volley almost caught Robin Olsen off guard on the half-hour mark but the Lions goalkeeper thankfully watched the ball loop right of the post.

But the stopper was well placed to block Crusaders’ best effort of the half when Mathias Zanka fluffed a clearance and Caddell got another shot away - this time on target.

Despite Crusaders’ chances FCK looked comfortable, although Swiss referee Stephan Klossner was made to calm down both sets of players when the tensions spilled over.

But Copenhagen put some daylight between them and the hosts five minutes from the break thanks to Cornelius, who took his time with Peter Ankersen’s floated cross to head high into the net above Sean O’Neill.

Into the second half and Cornelius could have had a second were it not for a strong palm away from O’Neill after captain Delaney began the best move of the game, jinking down the left wing and playing through the Santander, who eventually found his strike partner.

Falk gets his reward

But the Lions didn’t have long to wait for a third goal as Falk swept in his goal on debut after the ball broke kindly for the midfielder.

As 60 minutes Olsen was called upon three times to keep his clean sheet in tact - tipping wide efforts from Whyte and Paul Heatley while also denying the latter from the angle.

At the other end two magnificent saves from O’Neill saw off Santander and Ankersen efforts, while before Cornelius hit the post from the left side of the box.

The result leaves FCK in a commanding position to progress to the third round of qualifying for this season’s Champions League as attention now switches to the start of the domestic season.

CRUSADERS: 0   FC COPENAGEN: 3

Crusaders: O’Neill, Burns, Beverland, Coates, McClean, Clarke, Snoddy, Caddell, Whyte, Heatley, Owens.

FC Copenhagen: Olsen, Augustinsson, Johansson, Zanka, Ankersen, Kusk, Kvist, Delaney, Falk, Cornelius, Santander.

Goals: Santander (6’), Cornelius (40’), Falk (53’).

Referee: Stephan Klossner (SUI).