Hat trick N'Doye inspires FCK

19/05 2011 23:14

The stage was set for FC Copenhagen to smash into the record books on Thursday evening, as a win would guarantee an overhaul of the 76-point Danish Superliga total set by Brøndby IF in 1997/98 and also FCK in 2006/07. Head coach Ståle Solbakken therefore named a strong line up to face an FC Midtjylland side in search of a second-place finish in the league.

by Joe Short

Dame N’Doye came back into the squad to partner Jesper Grønkjær in attack, the Senegalese having served his suspension that saw him miss his first game of the season at Horsens on Monday night. At the back, Mikael Antonsson was given the nod ahead of Mathias Zanka, while Thomas Kristensen came into the centre of midfield.

In their search for second place, Midtjylland were visibly intent on taking the game to FCK, a scrambled N’Doye effort the only opening offered to them in the early stages. Indeed, FCM dictated play for long passages, pressing on Johan Wiland’s goal. Their good start paid off on 15 minutes when Martin Albrechtsen rose before Antonsson to convert a corner and give Midtjylland the lead.

To make matters worse for the home side, Antonsson appeared to hurt his ankle in the aftermath of the goal, and had to receive treatment on the pitch before eventually being subbed after blocking an Adigun Salami shot. Zanka replaced Antonsson and slipped naturally into the centre of defence.

Senegalese sensation fires FCK ahead

It appeared as though Copenhagen would need something special to get back into a game they had yet failed to compete in, and that magic came in style when N’Doye rocketed in a 30-yard free kick to equalise: goalkeeper Jonas Lössl unable to palm away the powerful effort.

In the 28th minute Oscar Wendt’s skewered cross almost caught Lössl off his line, as FCK mounted the pressure. The life N’Doye’s goal gave the team was evident, but only a determined Wiland prevented Mads Hvilsom from converting a one-on-one opportunity at the other end. The save proved pivotal in the game, as seconds later Copenhagen took the lead. Wendt crossed high to an unmarked N’Doye who had time to chest the ball down before blasting past Lössl for 2-1.

The remainder of the half offered little in goalmouth action, as both sides tightened their defences and seemed happy with ball retention. The start of the second half proved to be more active however. On 47 minutes Bolaños curled a free kick that Claudemir met, but his flicked header fell safely into Lössl’s hands. Hvilsom also went close at the other end, but couldn’t reach a high cross from the FCM right.

Goals pour in

In the 56th minute Copenhagen gave themselves a two-goal cushion courtesy of Christian Bolaños. N’Doye did well to hold off the Midtjylland defence before laying wide to the Costa Rican. Bolaños took his time to control and fire low into the far left corner of the goal.

At 3-1, Solbakken brought César Santin on for William Kvist, and minutes after entering the field the Brazilian tripped Salami in the box, referee Anders Hermansen immediately pointing to the spot. Mads Albæk stepped up and sent Wiland the wrong way, halving Copenhagen’s lead.

As FCM pursued an equaliser, the Lions held their own and stood resolute in defence. Indeed, N’Doye wrapped up a magnificent performance with a neat goal on 71 minutes, exchanging passes with Santin before slotting through Lössl’s legs to secure his first hat trick for the club, and his 25th Superliga goal this season.

Record broken

More chances were to fall Copenhagen’s way as the clock ticked down. Bolaños squeezed free on the left of the box but shot straight at the keeper before a fifth was scored off the resulting corner. N’Doye shot from close range and, with the ball floating towards the net, Santin stuck a leg out to prod home. Maybe the ball would have crossed the line without Santin’s help. Nevertheless, FCK increased their lead to 5-2, much to the crowd’s pleasure.

Lössl was the only man in the way of a sixth goal on 84 minutes when Jos Hooiveld, Santin and Claudemir all saw their efforts saved from close range. Thomas Kristensen then shot wide before Santin mirrored N’Doye’s move, exchanging play with Bolaños on the edge of the area, but his shot was too close to the advancing Lössl.

Santin’s opportunity was to be the last chance in an enthralling second half, as FCK notched up 78 Superliga points, a Danish all-time record. Meanwhile, N’Doye is now only three goals off equalling Ebbe Sand’s 1997/98 record of 28 goals in a single season.

FC COPENHAGEN: 5 FC MIDTJYLLAND: 2

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Wendt, Antonsson, Hooiveld, Pospech, Claudemir, Kristensen, Kvist (C), Bolaños, Grønkjær, N’Doye.

FC Midtjylland: Lössl, Sivebæk, Lauridsen, Juelsgård, Albrechtsen, Salami, Albæk, Thygesen (C), Borring, Fagerberg, Hvilsom.

Goals: Albrechtsen, FC Midtjylland (16’), N’Doye (27’), N’Doye (31’), Bolaños (57’), Albæk, FC Midtjylland (pen. 64’), N’Doye (71’), Santin (83’).

Referee: Anders Hermansen.