Kadrii goal wins the derby

Bashkim Kadrii’s second-half strike earned FC Copenhagen a memorable derby victory over Brøndby.

by Joe Short

Kadrii fired home a first-time effort off Pierre Bengtsson’s centre to prove the difference in a tight affair inside Telia Parken.

The striker also went close with a first-half volley and Andreas Cornelius was denied by the fist of Lukas Hradecky during an often frantic game.

Teemu Pukki had the best of Brøndby’s chances but the Lions held on to climb into fifth in the Superliga table.

Watch match highlights here on FCKTV

Parken was bedecked with banners before kick off as both sets of supporters rolled out impressive tifos in the near sell-out stadium.

Copenhagen had the best of the early stages, Kadrii volleying a tricky effort off Tom Høgli’s cross wide of Hradecky’s post.

The Brøndby stopper was on hand to deny Cornelius on 40 minutes, when the latter rose to meet a deep Alex Kacaniklic delivery only for Hradecky to tip over the crossbar from point-blank range.

But FCK’s persistence finally bore fruit as Kadrii delivered the winning blow on 50 minutes. Bengtsson was again the architect, cutting open a path down the left to centre low to Kadrii, who finished left-footed in his stride below the grasp of the goalkeeper.

FCK were not content with a single goal as both Kacaniklic and Cornelius went close for the home side but Ståle Solbakken’s men were made to make do with a 1-0 result in the derby.

Watch FCK's tifo display in Telia Parken on FCKTV

FC COPENHAGEN: 1 BRØNDBY IF: 0

FC Copenhagen: Andersen, Høgli, Antonsson, Zanka, Bengtsson, Amankwaa, Claudemir, Delaney, Kacaniklic, Cornelius, Kadrii.

Brøndby IF: Hradecky, Holst, Dumic, Agger, Durmisi, Thygesen, Kahlenberg, Hjulsager, Ørnskov, Szymanowski, Pukki.

Goals: Kadrii (50’).

Referee: Kenn Hansen.