Santin maintains FCK winning streak

10/09 2011 19:50

The international break gave head coach Roland Nilsson the chance to sit down and contemplate the rest of the autumn fixtures as FCK look to push towards a fourth successive league title. With all players returned and accounted for, his Copenhagen side travelled north to the Lyngby Stadium to face a team battling at the other end of the Superliga table.

by Joe Short

The game started disappointingly for the away side, as after just seven minutes Peter Madsen pushed Mathias Zanka off balance while competing for a loose ball that resulted in the FCK captain clutching his left leg. The injury looked bad, and Zanka was quickly removed from the field to spend the rest of the match watching from the sidelines on crutches, a bag of ice strapped to his knee.

Ragnar Sigurdsson filled the spot in the centre of defence, while Johan Wiland was given the captain’s armband. Fortunately, his teammates were not too shaken by the incident, as Copenhagen went ahead on 13 minutes with the first real chance of the game. After a scramble in the Lyngby penalty area, the ball fell to César Santin who pounced to head down into the corner of the net.

The goal gave Copenhagen a firmer grip on the game, and soon the attacks began raining down on Rune Pedersen’s goal. First Dame N’Doye forced a save out of the goalkeeper before Santin tried a delicate effort after a neat cross Johan Absalonsen cross from the wing.

Pedersen busy in goal

It took half an hour before LBK created their first opportunity. And what a chance it was; Emil Larsen slipped by Johnny Thomsen and bounded into the box, but sent the ball sailing over the crossbar with Wiland beaten.

The guests maintained control for the rest of the half, and slowed the pace down after Larsen’s chance. The energetic Absalonsen challenged Pedersen to a low drive from the edge of the area, which was the only real chance – bar a blocked N’Doye effort – before referee Henning Jensen blew his whistle.

The positive first half was not lived up to after the break, as the high intensity both teams had begun with dropped somewhat. On 52 minutes a Pierre Bengtsson set piece threatened Pedersen’s area, but with both Absalonsen and Sigurdsson competing for the same ball, the LBK keeper popped up to claim in all the confusion.

Oviedo gets first season appearance

A quarter of an hour later N’Doye tried his luck with a good effort from distance, but failed to scare the Lyngby goal. Shortly after Nilsson made his second switch of the game, bringing on Morten Nordstrand for Santin.

While the Lions defence continued to block any danger from their opponents, the forward players continued in their search for a second goal. Quick play from Nordstrand and Thomas Delaney sent Christian Bolaños through on the right wing, but his low cross failed to reach Absalonsen. N’Doye then tried an ambitious volley but saw his shot rise high over the crossbar. Bryan Oviedo soon after was given his first appearance of the new season, entering the field in place of Absalonsen as FCK looked to see out the game.

It was a somewhat nervous final few minutes, but Copenhagen held strong as Lyngby looked for an equaliser. Only a Bajram Fetai effort got through the Lions defence, and even that flew way over Wiland’s head. The pace had slowed to a calm walk by the time Jensen blew up for full time, as FCK recorded their sixth league win in succession.

The only downside to the game was the early injury to Zanka. The extent of his knock is unknown as yet. Advice will have to be sought before the medical staff set a time frame for the centre back’s recovery.

LYNGBY BK: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 1

Lyngby BK: Pedersen, Brandrup, Bresemann, Helstrup, Cagara, Blume, Bertolt, Aabech, Bernier, Larsen, Madsen.

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

Goals: Santin (13’).

Referee: Henning Jensen.