Santin penalty defies Horsens
Head coach Roland Nilsson had to reshuffle his pack after Copenhagen’s match in midweek. Ragnar Sigurdsson replaced Sölvi Ottesen in central defence, as César Santin took up his usual role up front. Thomas Delaney started on the left wing while Thomas Kristensen moved inside the midfield.
by Joe Short
Copenhagen started the game brightly, Delaney almost giving the away side an early lead when Dame N'Doye elegantly played him free on the left wing, but he was waved offside as he ran in on goal. Meanwhile, Johan Wiland did well to prevent Henrik Toft and Gilberto Macena scoring on separate occasions.
The bright start almost created a goal on 20 minutes when again Delaney linked up with N’Doye. The winger beat his man and from the byline whipped in a cross near the front post, but Christian Bolaños was too late to tap in.
Half an hour into the match Santin fired a half volley narrowly over the crossbar as FCK piled on the pressure. Moments later Bolaños’ penetrating run into the Horsens box almost paid dividends, were it not for a home interception.
South American skill wins spot kick
Bolaños came even closer on 39 minutes but goalkeeper Søren Jochumsen stretched high to tip the Costa Rican’s free kick away from the far corner of the goal. However, Bolaños’ luck was to change for the better just after half time. Cutting in from the right wing, the midfielder tricked his way past Niels Lodberg, only for the striker to trip him and concede a penalty.
With just one minute to half time, a Copenhagen penalty was just what Nilsson’s side needed. Santin stepped up and stroked calmly into the bottom left corner after watching Jochumsen dive the other way.
The half time break came with a concern for Wiland, who caught a ball earlier in the half and landed awkwardly on his back. The keeper was evidently in pain in his lower back, but was OK to resume after the break. Indeed, he was alert to a dangerous Horsens corner on 49 minutes that was enough to prove his fitness.
Talisman misses hatful of chances
Four minutes later and N’Doye could have doubled FCK’s lead, but the Senegalese couldn’t adjust and get the ball out from under his feet after receiving a pinpoint cross from Pierre Bengtsson. At the other end, Wiland could only stand and stare as a Horsens attack resulted in his crossbar being rattled.
In the 60th minute Jeppe Mehl did well to make space for himself on the edge of the FCK area, but his left-footed shot sailed harmlessly over Wiland’s bar. Five minutes later and N’Doye had another chance to score. The striker got in behind the Horsens defence and from four yards hit Jochumsen. The ball bounced out to Bolaños but the attack had already broken down.
N’Doye’s chances continued to come, but just couldn’t be converted. In the 69th minute the ball hit the striker in the stomach after Mathias Zanka had flicked on a low corner, but it bobbled the wrong side of the post.
Team prove defensive capabilities
Both Morten Nordstrand and Bolaños missed a powerful ball in from Delaney with nothing but the goal gaping on 76 minutes. FCK’s failure to convert almost cost them as Horsens counter attacked. Macena battled his way past the Lions defence but his low left-footed effort dribbled wide of Wiland’s far post.
In the final ten minutes Horsens threw it all at the Danish champions. Only a last-ditch Sigurdsson challenge on 80 minutes prevented Lodberg from running in on goal. Three minutes later Toft tried a spectacular overhead kick from inside the Copenhagen box, but failed to connect properly, much to the relief of the defence.
In injury time both Sigurdsson and substitute Pape Pate Diouf excelled in their defensive duties, clearing away dangerous balls as Horsens searched for an equaliser. Indeed, their efforts proved fruitful as referee Peter Rasmussen brought the game to a close after four minutes of injury time.
Another three points for Copenhagen sees the Lions stretch their lead at the top of the Superliga. Next up for Nilsson’s side is a crucial away leg of the UEFA Champions League qualifying. The squad travel to the Czech Republic on Monday with a tough challenge ahead of them: overturn a 3-1 deficit to Czech champions FC Viktoria Plzen.
AC HORSENS: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 1
AC Horsens: Jochumsen, Kortegaard, Lodberg, Rasmussen, Jensen, Kryger, Spelmann, Retov, Mehl, Macena, Toft.
FC Copenhagen: Wiland (C), Thomsen, Zanka, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Bolaños, Grindheim, Kristensen, Delaney, N'Doye, Santin.
Goals: Santin (45’, pen.).
Referee: Peter Rasmussen.
Photo from Canal 9
