Memorable night sees Copenhagen progress

09/08 2012 00:22

FC Copenhagen booked their place in the last round of Champions League qualifying by beating Club Bruges 3-2 in Belgium. Twice FCK came from behind before César Santin scored in the last second of the game.

by Joe Short

Copenhagen travelled to Belgium on the back of a 2-1 away win over Esbjerg at the weekend, and head coach Ariel Jacobs made a couple of changes to his side. In came Santin as Martin Vingaard moved forward to drop in behind the striker. Sölvi Ottesen and Lars Jacobsen came back into the defence after being rested at the weekend.

FCK showed their attacking intent just five minutes in, Santin breaking free on the right side of the box but blazing over the crossbar. The striker was even closer 10 minutes later, when he ran on to a delightful Nicolai Jørgensen flick to prod past goalkeeper Vladan Kujovic. Unfortunately the ball fell just the wrong side of the right-hand post.

Despite Copenhagen’s good start, the football gods weren’t with them as Bruges took the lead completely against the run of play on 24 minutes. Thomas Kristensen’s wayward header handed the home side a corner, and Jordi Figueras rose at the near post to nod home the resulting cross.

Jørgensen stunner brings scores level

Yet the goal didn’t deter Copenhagen from dictating the game. The away side continued to go forward with pace and purpose, but the ball just wouldn’t fall for the Lions in the final third. In a rare Bruges attack Figueras fired wide from a loose corner as the half came to a close without any further action.

FCK came out for the second half with as much vigour as before. Just three minutes in Ryan Donk almost lopped a Jacobsen cross into his own net, but the ball bounced off the Bruges crossbar. Ottesen had a header blocked on 53 minutes, yet still the Lions could not break through what was at times a five-man defence.

Yet their determination finally paid off exactly on the hour. Santin broke free of Donk and rounded the keeper before laying off to Christian Bolaños. The winger’s effort was well saved but the rebounding ball fell to Jørgensen, who volleyed a spectacular effort into the top right corner. 1-1!

Bolaños keeps his cool

Johan Wiland was tested for the first time in the FCK goal immediately after the equaliser, but the Swedish keeper matched a long-range shot well. Yet he could do nothing to prevent Bruges taking the lead again on 65 minutes, when first Kristensen then Ottesen slipped in the box, giving Vladis Odjidja-Ofoe space to make it 2-1.

Bryan Oviedo created a golden opportunity on 70 minutes, dancing down the left wing to pull across to Bolaños. However, the Costa Rican rushed his effort, blazing high over the bar from 16 yards out.

Bolaños wouldn’t be so unlucky seven minutes later however, as FCK once more drew level. Jacobsen’s over-hit cross reached Bryan Oviedo at the back post, who drilled in a mean ball for Bolaños to tap in for 2-2.

Offside decision saves Lions!

With six minutes to go Ariel Jacobs made a defensive change, bringing on Christian Grindheim for Jørgensen as FCK went five in midfield. Moments later and Copenhagen came agonisingly close to conceding. Wiland saved Thomas Meunier’s shot that bounced onto the post and before a Bruges player could tap in the ball span away to Ottesen, who gratefully cleared his lines.

While Bruges looked for a winner, FCK had their counter attacking chances. First substitute Andreas Cornelius shot low into Kujovic’s hands, before Bolaños broke free on the right edge of the box but sliced his effort wide.

Four minutes of agonising stoppage time was announced, and Bruges thought they had won the game when Maxime Lestienne headed into the corner of the net, only to see the offside flag rule out a certain winner.

Bruges continued to lump high balls into the box, and in the final minute Kujovic came up for a corner. The plan didn’t work, and Santin broke clear from the box with the ball. The Brazilian crossed the halfway line untouched before stroking the ball into an unguarded net to hand FCK a passage into the last round of Champions League qualifying.

CLUB BRUGES: 2 FC COPENHAGEN: 3 (2-3 Aggregate)

Club Bruges: Kujovic, Hoefkens, Larsen, Donk, Figueras, Blondel, Vadis, Zimling, Meunier, Tchite, Refaelov.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Ottesen, Sigurdsson, Oviedo, Bolaños, Claudemir, Kristensen, Jørgensen, Santin, Vingaard.

Goals: Figueras, Club Bruges (24’), Jørgensen (61’), Odjidja, Club Bruges (66’), Bolaños (78’), Santin (90+4’).

Referee: Michael Koukoulakis (GRE)