Honours even in Farum

by Joe Short

FC Copenhagen got their Superliga title defence properly underway with a tightly contested 2-2 draw away at Nordsjælland. The Lions twice led only to be pegged back by former FCK players, the pick of the bunch Morten Nordstrand’s superb overhead volley to level the scores late on.

Rurik Gislason had given Copenhagen’s travelling faithful something to cheer just 18 minutes in when he calmly drilled in the opener from a tight angle, only for Martin Vingaard to net a penalty on his first match against his former club. Thomas Kristensen coolly slotted home a penalty at the other end midway through the second half but no one can begrudge Nordstrand’s equaliser, which will surely go down as one of the best Superliga goals of all time.

The game started in slow fashion with neither side willing to commit too many men forward – indicative of the fierce battles fought over the past few seasons at Farum Park that produced a 3-2 classic late last season. It took until 16 minutes for the first real chance to materialise when Pierre Bengtsson volleyed wide an untidy clearance.

Penalties for both sides

The intent was there, however, and two minutes later Gislason beat his man to a Lars Jacobsen throughball down the right and slid his effort past Martin Hansen for 1-0. The game swung for the next five minutes as first Nordstrand volleyed off target before Marvin Pourie found Hansen instead of the goal following a rapid FCK counter attack.

An uncharacteristic mistake from Bengtsson on 33 minutes led to the first Nordsjælland equaliser. The left-back turned away and passed to Johan Wiland, only to see the ball catch up in the grass and Nordstrand pounce on it. Goalkeeper and striker collided, which result in a penalty that Vingaard duly despatched.

The start of the second half saw FCK control the midfield with intent but the visitors couldn’t force a notable attack, Marvin Pourie showing promise down the left wing before losing control in the box. It took until 54 minutes for the first chance of the half when Ragnar Sigurdsson pushed forward, unexpectedly dodged a tackle and shot two yards wide of the top left corner.

The effort was a sign of FCK’s intent and just before the hour mark Ariel Jacobs swapped Pourie for Igor Vetokele. The substitute immediately took up a position on the left flank as Copenhagen stretched play. The move worked, for four minutes later the Lions made it 2-1 through a Thomas Kristensen penalty. Vetokele took the ball down the left and swung in a cross, only for Ivan Runje to handle in the box. That left the Kristensen free rein to pass his spot kick down the middle as Hansen dove to his right.

Nordstrand’s moment of brilliance

The next 10 minutes went by without any goalmouth action, Copenhagen reserving their energies with the ball and keeping a solid midfield without it. Youssef Toutouh replaced the jaded Jørgensen with 14 minutes remaining but it was FCN who would next go close when Vingaard sent a half volley into the side netting from range. Nordsjælland found better luck during their next attack however, when Nordstrand lost his marker before executing a magnificent overhead kick to bury Mario Ticinovic’s deep cross.

It was a finish Sibusiso Zuma would have been proud of yet FCN were not afforded time to dwell as Copenhagen looked to reply immediately – Delaney heading a Claudemir throw into Hansen’s hands. The ball was kept in Nordsjælland territory as the clocked ticked down but FCK couldn’t force a way through their hosts’ back line. A succession of crosses led to nothing, Claudemir coming closest to a deep ball one minute into stoppage time.

His effort would be the last of the game as FCK failed to find a way through. The draw with last season’s runners-up means Copenhagen finally have points on the board this campaign and we must now wait until next Sunday for the Superliga to return, in PARKEN against AGF.

FCN: 2   FC COPENHAGEN: 2

FC Nordsjælland: Hansen, Gregor, Runje, Jakobsen, Stryger, Stokholm, O’Brien, Ticinovic, Christiansen, Nordstrand, Vingaard.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen, Stadsgaard, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Claudemir, Kristensen, Delaney, Gislason, Pourie, Jørgensen.

Goals: Gislason (18’), Vingaard, FCN (34’), Kristensen (63’), Nordstrand, FCN (83’).

Referee: Michael Johansen.