Santin brace earns win in Odense
After victory in the DBU Cup over Brøndby IF in midweek, FC Copenhagen travelled to Funen to face a tricky OB Odense at the TRE-FOR Park. Head coach Roland Nilsson named a strong side for the clash, as FCK looked to record their first Superliga win in two games.
by Joe Short
Copenhagen started brightly, and offered the first threat on goal after six minutes: Christian Bolaños firing off target from long range. Five minutes later, and the Costa Rican international beat three men to lay off to Dame N’Doye, but the striker couldn’t finish off a good move.
At the other end, Hans Henrik Andreasen failed to convert a good chance after Bernard Mendy had played the midfielder through, but he couldn’t find the target after beating Johan Wiland.
Shortly before the half hour César Santin was unlucky not to open the scoring when he guided a low Lars Jocobsen strike towards goal, but again the ball failed to hit the target. Santin would be made to rue his missed chance, as on 34 minutes OB took the lead. Rasmus Falk Jensen played a neat one-two with Bashkim Kadrii, and took his time in rounding the sliding Christian Grindheim to place past Wiland and into the net.
Ottesen nods home equaliser
The goal didn’t dampen FCK’s spirits however, and seconds before the half time whistle the Lions drew level. After a scuppered corner, the ball fell wide on the left for Pape Pate Diouf. The Senegalese whipped in a teasing left-footed cross into the box, where Sölvi Ottesen rose unmarked to head into the corner of the goal.
The second half began with a great opportunity for Peter Utaka, but the striker couldn’t open his feet properly in front of goal. As the rain began to pour in Odense, the away side picked up the pace. Bolaños tried his luck but was blocked, while Bryan Oviedo saw a drilled effort well saved by Mads Toppel.
It would be Santin who would finally take Copenhagen into the lead however, with a typical poacher’s goal on 57 minutes. An inswinging Bolaños corner was flicked on by Ragnar Sigurdsson at the near post, to a lurking Santin – who had slipped his marker – to head home the free ball.
Quality finish seals victory
At 2-1 Copenhagen sat back to soak up the presumed OB pressure. But it never really came, and in the 71st minute Santin put the game out of doubt, wrapping up a fine FCK move. N’Doye gave Santin the ball with his back to goal. Rather than reciprocate the pass, the Brazilian turned two defenders, made room for himself on the right of the box, and buried his shot low past Toppel for 3-1. A quality finish from a player very much in form.
The remainder of the game limped out with no real notice points. Ottesen had to be replaced by Peter Larsson as the clock ticked down, but it was mainly a precaution than a serious injury. Martin Bergvold made an appearance in place of Santin, again with the idea of saving the squad for Thursday in mind
For Thursday is sure to be an intense game in PARKEN, as FCK welcome Hannover 96 to the Danish capital. Three points in the UEFA Europa League would certainly aid Nilsson and his team’s goal of group stage qualification. Their performance in Funen could not have been a better precursor for the big event in midweek.
OB: 1 FC COPENHAGEN: 3
OB: Toppel, Ruud, Christensen, Reginiussen, Mendy, Andreasen, Djemba-Djemba, Sørensen, Kadrii, Falk, Utaka.
FC Copenhagen: Wiland (C), Jacobsen, Ottesen, Sigurdsson, Oviedo, Kristensen, Grindheim, Bolaños, Diouf, Santin, N’Doye.
Goals: Falk, OB (34’), Ottesen (45’), Santin (57’), Santin (71’).
Referee: Emil Laursen.
