Late equaliser for Esbjerg
Thomas Kristensen was rewarded for his fine run of form with a starting place in Ståle Solbakken’s midfield, as Claudemir moved to the right wing to fill in for rested Christian Bolaños. Bar this midfield switch, Copenhagen’s starting XI was the same that overturned Brøndby IF two weeks ago in PARKEN.
by Joe Short
After six months of freezing temperatures, one could almost forgive the slow start to the game, for both sides took their time in the opening stages under a tropical 18ºc Sun. Copenhagen maintained the majority of possession, but were unable to force through a meaningful chance as the home side sat back to absorb the pressure.
On ten minutes, Johan Wiland turned defence into counter attack with a neat save and quick distribution. The final header by Dame N’Doye went harmlessly wide however. Twelve minutes later Jesper Grønkjær’s cross-come-shot almost fooled Lars Winde in the Esbjerg goal, but the keeper did enough to prevent the ball sneaking in at the near post, colliding with the upright for his troubles.
Claudemir had an effort saved from the opposite wing on 28 minutes, but it was Esbjerg who will be disappointed not to have scored when Jesper Lange rose high to beat Wiland to a free kick, but his header flew wide of the right-hand post.
The general Lions pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute however, thanks to some César Santin determination. The Brazilian picked up a delightful long ball from Kristensen, cut inside his marker, danced round Winde and tapped casually into an open goal. In return, only a Mathias Zanka challenge on Lange prevented a sure goal at the other end.
The start of the second half was as compressed as the first, with neither side looking like they wanted to attack. Indeed, it took 12 minutes for the first opportunity of the half: a weak effort from Søren Rieks easily collected by Wiland. In an effort to change the tempo, Solbakken brought on Bolaños and Kenneth Zohore for Grønkjær and Santin respectively, but it did nothing really to stop the mounting Esbjerg pressure.
In a rare FCK opening, Claudemir nicked the ball away from the palm of Winde, but Thomas Gaardsøe was alert to the danger and cleared the loose ball. Zdenek Pospech then fired one of his trademark right-footed efforts at goal, but instead of finding the back of the net the ball nestled neatly in the bank of Esbjerg fans behind Winde.
EfB scrape point
As the home side pushed further forward, the FCK defence was required to step up to the challenge. Mikael Antonsson stretched to head off the line an effort from Gaardsøe after a deep EfB corner, while Wiland made sure he dominated his penalty area, calmly collecting any loose cross.
Indeed, it looked as though Wiland had guaranteed all three points for the Lions when he blocked a stinging shot from Arnór Smárason. However, at the resulting corner deep into stopping time, Tim Janssen popped up unmarked to nod home the equaliser. It was to be the last action in a game that may only be remembered for the point Esbjerg secured in their fight to stave off Superliga relegation.
FC COPENHAGEN: 1 ESBJERG: 1
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Wendt, Zanka, Antonsson, Wendt, Claudemir, Kvist (C), Kristensen, Grønkjær, N'Doye, Santin.
Esbjerg fB: Winde (GK), Hansen, Risp, Gaardsøe, Conboy, Karlsen, Mehl, Vendelbo, Rieks, Smárason, Lange.
Goals: Santin (38’), Janssen, Esbjerg fB (95’)
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen.
Photo: Sportsagency.dk
