HSV win Nordcup 2-0

by Joe Short

Head coach Ariel Jacobs gave his squad a good run out and no doubt will be pleased with FCK’s performance over the weekend. Having beaten Wolfsburg 2-1 on Saturday to reach this final, Jacobs kept the core of his XI the same and they didn’t disappoint.

Goals from Artjoms Rudnevs and Michael Mancienne gave the Bundesliga outfit a deserved victory but the match practice should put FCK in good stead to begin their Superliga title defence at AaB next weekend.

Copenhagen started brightly inside the atmospheric Imtech Arena and the midfield appeared comfortable with in possession. The home side proved proficient at stretching play, however, and forced an early goal in slightly fortunate circumstances. Eight minutes in, Johan Wiland rose with Heiko Westermann from a corner and in the resulting melee Marcell Jansen reacted first to give HSV the lead.

Copenhagen push for a goal

FCK looked to hit back immediately and Igor Vetokele came close with a flicked header from Lars Jacobsen’s short corner, while at the other end Artjoms Rudnevs headed wide on 16 minutes. Striker Rudnevs had another half chance moments later when HSV hit Copenhagen on the break but his effort dribbled wide of Wiland’s right post. His effort would be the last of the first half, which was reduced to 30 minutes in accordance with all friendly matches at the Nordcup.

Five minutes into the second half and Michael Jakobsen had a golden chance to equalise for FCK. The defender beat everyone to Pierre Bengtsson’s free kick but couldn’t get enough on his glancing header to steer the ball goalwards. On 44 minutes a great piece of anticipatory defending prevented Rudnevs tapping home a second for HSV as Jakobsen tracked the forward’s run and dived in to block the ball out for a corner.

Mancienne hits unstoppable volley

Christian Bolaños was inches off an equaliser 48 minutes in when he found space on the right edge of the box but his drilled shot flew past the far post, the HSV keeper completely beaten. As is the curse of football, often when you miss your chance the opposition make you pay and HSV did just that as Michael Mancienne scored a stunning volley two minutes later. The defender arrived late in the box to nail a corner kick above Wiland and into the net before the keeper could even react, a well-taken goal that got the crowd on their feet.

Head coach Ariel Jacobs introduced Pape Pate Diouf to the match with 10 minutes remaining and FCK had a chance to pull one back moments later. Bolaños linked up well to get the ball across goal but sub Mikkel Wohlgemuth just couldn’t finish at the back post, hitting the side netting.

That attack would prove to be the last of the game as HSV turned out victors on the day. Copenhagen now have a week of training before the first Superliga game of the season, away to AaB.

FC COPENHAGEN: Wiland, Jacobsen, Sigurdsson, Jakobsen, Remmer, Bolaños, Claudemir, Delaney, Bengtsson, Amankwaa, Vetokele.

Goals: Rudnevs, HSV (8’), Mancienne, HSV (50’).