N’Doye inspires 1-0 European win
Photo: Sportsagency.dk
Coach Ståle Solbakken made a couple of changes from his side’s 2-2 draw against Silkeborg IF at the weekend, with Solvi Ottesen returning to the centre of defence for FCK’s critical match against Rubin Kazan, in the opening game of the UEFA Champions League group stage.
by Joe Short
Jesper Grønkjær was also handed a starting place, having had a rest over the weekend, replacing recent debutant Christian Bolaños, who joined a strong Lions substitute bench as Solbakken kept his regular 4-4-2 formation.
Despite the strong line up, it was Kazan who came out of the blocks the fastest, creating a couple of chances in the opening phases of play. Christian Noboa first had a shot blocked for a corner, which resulted in FCK keeper Johan Wiland being forced to dive low to his left to tip wide a Salvatore Bocchetti flick.
As FCK progressed on their first attack, Dame N’Doye went down under a sliding challenge from Bocchetti. N’Doye beat his man, but a trailing foot was enough to fell the striker, leaving the PARKEN home crowd nervously looking on in hope that he would resume play.
The striker recovered from the initial pain, and limped back onto the pitch in time to contribute a home side attack on nine minutes. Good work down the right wing resulted in the ball bobbling in the box. It was scrambled out to Martin Vingaard, but his effort flew high over the crossbar.
Holding the midfield
The quick start by Kazan soon died down, as Copenhagen’s central midfield pair of William Kvist and Claudemir took control of the middle of the park. FCK were struggling to create anything themselves however, as the game began to slow and become scrappy.
On 26 minutes, Dame N’Doye almost connected with a Vingaard cross from the right hand side. In return, a poor headed clearance from Oscar Wendt gave Noboa a free opportunity at the edge of the FCK box, but the midfielder’s shot failed to threaten Wiland’s goal.
A surprise in-swinging corner from Vingaard almost caught Kazan keeper Sergei Ryzhikov off guard just after the half hour mark, but the Russian was able to tip the ball over the bar as it sailed towards the far corner.
The remainder of the half consisted of Copenhagen possession, as the home side looked to open the scoring. However, it was Kazan who were closest to the illusive first goal, defending deep only to pounce in numerous counter attacks before half time.
Continued away pressure
Much like the first half, it was Kazan who started the stronger after the restart. First, Rafal Murawski cut inside to shoot directly at Wiland, while two minutes later a communication mix up between Wendt and Mikael Antonsson eventually led to Vitali Kaleshin producing an effort that flew harmlessly over the bar.
The midfield hold that Kvist and Claudemir had created in the first half was mirrored on 55 minutes, as the pair combined beautifully to play Kvist into space on the edge of the area. His shot was well blocked and deflected low into the arms of Ryzhikov, as Copenhagen began to increase the pressure on the travelling side.
As the second half progressed, Kazan began to fall deeper into their own half, frequently playing a flat back five to cope with the wide threat of Wendt and Zdenek Pospech. Indeed, Wendt almost saw a deflected cross creep in at the Kazan near post, while Pospech enjoyed a spell of right-wing possession before the hour mark.
Playing through the middle
However, it was from a central position where Copenhagen’s main chances were being created. On 69 minutes Grønkjær, who had drifted across the park from his left wing position, received the ball on the right, turned quickly inside and opened up his body to fire towards the Kazan top corner. However, Ryzhikov followed the flight all the way and was on hand to neatly collect the effort.
Minutes later, Cesar Santin came off for Bolaños, and FCK immediately had a chance from a counter attack – Claudemir’s eventual volley just wide of the left hand post. And it was also Claudemir who had a goalscoring opportunity on 79 minutes, in almost the same position. Grønkjær did well down the left to beat his man and pass in a cross that fell to the Brazilian, but his side-footed shot agonisingly soared over the bar.
The tension was building in the PARKEN stands as the FCK faithful begged for a goal. Yet the home side almost paid for their own complacency, as Kazan hit them with a swift counter attack. A Vingaard free kick was easily gathered by Ryzhikov, and before the FCK midfield could react, Alan Kasaev was bearing down Wiland’s penalty area. A last-ditch tackle by the spirited Ottesen was just enough to clear the ball as Kasaev set himself to shoot.
Eventual breakthrough
It looked as though a draw was inevitable, until the 87th minute when Copenhagen won an off-centred free kick 35 yards out from goal. Vingaard was the architect, and delivered a delightful chip to the far post where N’Doye was lurking. The striker beat his marker to head the ball across the face of goal, bouncing in off the far post before settling in the net. The goal seemed to take an age to cross the line, but the eruption of noise from the full PARKEN crowd was worth the wait.
Three minutes of time remained, while three more were added for stoppages, as FCK defended deep to hold on to their lead. Kazan immediately attacked from the restart, but a resilient defence beat the ball away. The nerves were jangling on 89 minutes however, as striker Sergei Komilenko deflected to drilled shot as it travelled towards Wiland’s goal. The ball hit the FCK keeper however, while the assistant referee’s offside flag reassured the home crowd.
After a mild Kazan attack led to nothing, the referee brought the game to a close as Wiland cleared the ball into the Copenhagen night. As the rain poured the stadium was jubilant: FCK now firmly in the race for qualification to the Champions League knockout stage.
