Sides share points at Brøndby

09/05 2011 08:45

Head coach Ståle Solbakken had to contend with a last-minute injury to Johan Absalonsen ahead of FCK’s clash with Brøndby. The winger’s injury meant Copenhagen went into the game with only six substitutes. Meanwhile on the pitch, Jesper Grønkjær was the only clear absentee, with Thomas Kristensen maintaining his position in the centre of midfield as Claudemir moved to the right wing.

by Joe Short

Copenhagen went into the game having won four of the last five against their rivals, and the tie couldn’t have started better when Dame N’Doye kept a cool head to chip over the advancing Stephan Andersen and give his side the lead after just five minutes. His calmness in taking the opportunity was far from reciprocated by the travelling supporters, who took the opportunity to fill the BIF stadium with a Lions roar.

Moments later and Solbakken was forced into an early substitution. Mikael Antonsson appeared to be struggling and so was brought off as a precaution, with Jos Hooiveld slipping in to the centre back role.

The goal appeared to give FCK the boost needed to control the early passages of play, and indeed their dominance showed with increasing pressure on the BIF penalty area. Much was the shock therefore when Brøndby earned an innocuous free kick close to goal, and Remco van der Schaaf rose unmarked to beat Johan Wiland to the cross and head in an equaliser.

Bad luck scuppers Santin

N’Doye felt the brunt of a 50/50 challenge on 25 minutes, and after prolonged treatment on the pitch was able to continue. Copenhagen appeared rattled by van der Schaaf’s goal, as they spent the next ten minutes camped inside their own half. Zdenek Pospech did manage a low shot on goal, but Andersen easily collected.

Five minutes before half time FCK failed to convert a golden opportunity when Christian Bolaños did well to trick his way to the byline and chip over to N’Doye. The striker rose high but couldn’t keep his header down, which rebounded off the crossbar into the path of César Santin. In a scene reminiscent of the Nou Camp, Santin had the entire goal gaping but couldn’t convert.

Just before half time Mathias Zanka missed a vital interception that let Nicolaj Agger through one-on-one with Wiland. The Lions keeper made himself big and blocked the shot well with his feet however.

Wiland offers hope

The fast start to the first half was not mirrored in the second, as both sides sought ball retention rather than a goal. In the 56th minute Mike Jensen was inches away from nicking the ball before Wiland, only a few feet from the goal line. Michael Krohn-Delhi then had a shot saved by the FCK keeper, who had to be on top form to keep the scores level.

Just after the hour mark Copenhagen got their first chance of the half, but Bolaños skied over from the edge of the area. Claudemir then headed wide from a tight angle, but it was BIF who threatened the most: Zanka the only thing preventing Ousman Jallow from striking goalwards.

With ten minutes remaining Thomas Delaney replaced Santin and soon saw a shot rise high over the crossbar as Copenhagen pushed for that elusive winning goal. Martin Bergvold also came on and fired over with the clock ticking down. Indeed, it was to be the Lions’ last effort of the game with referee Lars Christoffersen bringing the game to a close moments later.

The 1-1 result leaves FCK 26 points ahead of second place with four games remaining, and edges them one step closer to the 77-point mark, a record in top-flight Danish football.

BRØNDBY IF: 1 FC COPENHAGEN: 1

Brøndby IF: Andersen, Stenderup, Wass, Frederiksen, van der Schaaf, Goodson, Jensen, Krohn-Delhi, Nilsson, Gehrt, Agger.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Wendt, Zanka, Antonsson, Pospech, Claudemir, Kristensen, Kvist (C), Bolaños, N’Doye, Santin.

Goals: N’Doye (5’), Remco van der Schaaf, Brøndby IF (17’).

Referee: Lars Christoffersen.