N'Doye to the double in FCK win

14/08 2011 14:05

Head coach Roland Nilsson named two defensive changes from the XI that beat HB Køge last week. Johnny Thomsen replaced Thomas Kristensen to take up his regular position at right back after recovering from injury, while Sölvi Ottesen was given a starting place in the centre for Ragnar Sigurdsson.

by Joe Short

Copenhagen started much the better side, controlling the pace of the game from kick off. César Santin attempted to hook the ball over his shoulder after five minutes, having seen Midtjylland goalkeeper Kasper Jensen off his line, but the ball fell wide of the mark.

On seven minutes Claudemir had a golden opportunity to put the Lions ahead after determined work by Santin on the left wing. The striker played the ball across the box into Claudemir’s path, who side-footed towards the bottom left corner. Jensen was equal to it, getting down well to tip the ball round the post.

FCK’s dominance continued but while Santin shot wide on 11 minutes, Midtjylland also created their first opportunity: a sweet volley from Mads Albæk caught comfortably by Johan Wiland. Marc Møller headed over from close range soon after, as FCM clawed their way back into the game.

Bolaños strikes all but the net

However, it was Copenhagen who should have taken the lead when good work from Pierre Bengtsson on the left wing provided Santin with a free header from 10 yards. His effort sailed over the crossbar with most of the goal gaping. Bengtsson himself had a corner headed off the line shortly after, before Christian Bolaños struck a deflected shot wide of Jensen’s left post.

Just before half time Bolaños got in behind the FCM defence thanks to a neat through-ball from Dame N’Doye, but the Costa Rican could only direct his shot at Jensen from five yards out.

Midtjylland offered the most of the early second half action, Rilwan Hassan shooting from close range but failing to find a way past Wiland, after Jesper Juelsgaard had also fired wide. The away side continued to dominate the play, but struggled to make their possession count, and after the hour mark Copenhagen regained control. Pape Pate Diouf came off for Thomas Kristensen, and Claudemir moved to the left wing.

N’Doye waits and pounces

Soon after Morten Nordstrand replaced Santin, Copenhagen struck gold. Claudemir whipped a cross in from the left to N’Doye. Jensen plucked the ball out of the air to avert the danger, but spilled it in the process. The loose ball – still in the air – fell to N’Doye, who acrobatically overhead kicked it into the empty goal.

A stroke of luck maybe, but FCK now had a 1-0 lead and were out to find more goals. Midtjylland had a few good chances but couldn’t take them. With the pace of the game slowed down, Copenhagen took their time in sealing the tie. It was to be N’Doye who again found the net, after more good work by Claudemir. The Brazilian crossed in for Nordstrand at the back post who – rather than go for goal – headed back across for N’Doye to nod into an unguarded target.

The goal was to be the last action of the game, as Copenhagen wrapped up a comfortable 2-0 victory. Next up for the Lions is UEFA Champions League qualifying action against Viktoria Plzen in PARKEN. On Tuesday, FCK will battle out the first leg of a tie that hopefully results in the club reaching the group stage of Europe’s top competition for the second year running.

FC COPENHAGEN: 2 FC MIDTJYLLAND: 0

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Thomsen, Zanka (C), Ottesen, Bengtsson, Claudemir, Grindheim, Bolaños, Diouf, Santin, N’Doye.

FC Midtjylland: Jensen, Afriyie, Møller, Albrechtsen, Juelsgård, Hassan, Uzochukwu, Albæk, Borring, Nworuh, Janssen.

Goals: N’Doye (74’), N’Doye (90’).