Points shared in PARKEN

07/04 2013 22:13

by Joe Short

Head coach Ariel Jacobs made two changes from the defeat at Silkeborg last weekend, Johan Wiland returning in goal after becoming a father over the previous round of fixtures while Claudemir dropped into the midfield in place of Daniel Jensen.

FCK got off to a good start and almost found the net within the first 10 minutes when César Santin squandered a good heading opportunity in front of goal. Lars Jacobson soon sent a shot over the crossbar, Rurik Gislason curled an effort just wide and Thomas Delaney headed over from a corner all within the opening throes.

The Copenhagen pressure continued and shortly before the half-hour mark Gislason skied a shot over from 12 yards after Andreas Cornelius had done well to drag back from the byline.

Santin misses from the spot

Yet Copenhagen had an even greater chance to take the lead on 33 minutes when Bashkim Kadri handled the ball in the OB box – referee Michael Johnson immediately pointing to the spot. Santin stepped up to take the kick but Jesper Christiansen was equal to it, parrying the Brazilian’s effort away.

Things went from bad to worse for FCK as Espen Ruud opened the scoring for OB five minutes later. The full-back shot a free-kick into the Lions wall and Wiland could only watch as the ball deflected away from him and into an empty net.

After the break FCK came out firing and were soon level at 1-1 when Pierre Bengtsson drove home a sweet effort from the left-hand side into the far right corner. It was the Swede’s first ever league goal for Copenhagen and his first in the Superliga since scoring against OB for FCN in 2010.

Copenhagen press to no avail

The Lions continued to press and Christiansen matched a superb Jacobsen effort from the right, while the goalkeeper again came to the rescue on 56 minutes to stop Cornelius smashing in from close range.

Jacobsen continued to bomb down the right flank and on 66 minutes his centre found Delaney in the box but the striker could only find Christiansen’s arms. Three minutes later and Santin left the field for Igor Vetokele.

Ten minutes went by without much incident, OB defending deep and handling a bombardment of FCK long balls. Danny Amankwaa came on to aid the Lions’ forward effort but forcing a way through OB’s back line proved difficult as the away side’s midfield tucked back.

Five minutes from time and FCK had a major chance to take the lead when an OB defender glanced on Claudemir’s throw towards goal only for Christiansen to claw the ball away. It would be Copenhagen’s last clear chance of the game as the referee brought an entertaining match to a close after three minutes of added time.

FC COPENHAGEN: 1 OB: 1

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Stadsgaard, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Gislason, Claudemir, Kristensen, Delaney, Santin, Cornelius.

OB: Christiansen, Ruud, Christensen, Høegh, Larsen, Schoop, Silberbauer, Vadocz, Kadril, Bodul, Pedersen.

Goals: Ruud, OB (38’), Bengtsson (50’).

Referee: Michael Johansen.