Silkeborg frustrate FCK in Jutland

Head coach Carsten V. Jensen named a strong first XI as his FCK side travelled to Jutland in search of a first away win of the spring half of this Superliga season. Only one change was made, Martin Vingaard replacing Claudemir. 

by Joe Short

The same back four that kept a sprightly FC Midtjylland at bay last weekend started in front of captain Johan Wiland. And it was the FCK goalkeeper who was first put to the test, when Daniel Pedersen struck a fierce free kick towards goal that Wiland did well to turn away.

Four minutes later and Wiland again had to tip a free kick around the post, this time from Christopher Poulsen. Silkeborg were piling on the early pressure and almost took the lead when Poulsen ran free on the left, worked his way behind the FCK defence and shot low at Wiland’s near post. The keeper blocked with his left leg but stayed down injured after the save, appearing to jar his knee.

After a few minutes treatment from the physio Wiland was thankfully fit to continue. Copenhagen’s first chance of the game fell in the 18th minute, when Dame N’Doye made space on the right of the box to receive a Christian Bolaños pass. The striker’s effort blazed high and wide of the SIF goal however.

Santin volley miraculously saved

Copenhagen worked their way back into the game and controlled possession for a long period in the first half, but couldn’t break down a stolid SIF back line and midfield. Indeed, the away side were forced to move down the wings to find room, as it felt like they were trying to thread the eye of a needle at times to advance through the centre.

Indeed, FCK’s best chance of the half came from the wing, when N’Doye picked the ball up out wide and carried it into the area. Beating two men, N’Doye struck at goal but a stray SIF leg blocked his effort, which spilled high to César Santin. The Brazilian volleyed the loose ball from close range but Lasse Heinze was magnificent in turning the ball round the far post.

Right at the start of the second half N’Doye almost connected with a low Vingaard cross. Two minutes later and Santin almost broke the deadlock when he rounded Thorbjørn Holst Rasmussen on the left hand side, cut into the box but sent his shot into the side netting.

Upright saves Lions

On the hour mark CV brought on Thomas Kristensen for Vingaard, while Marvin Pourié entered the field for Silkeborg. And the SIF striker – who scored two last weekend – was immediately in the action, forcing a couple of saves out of Wiland.

Bryan Oviedo showed his initiative midway through the second half, playing a short corner with Bolaños to cut inside and thunder a strike directly at Heinze, who parried the effort. On 72 minutes Oviedo surged down the left wing to put a cross in to N’Doye. The Senegalese headed towards goal but again Heinze pulled off a save to prevent the Lions going ahead.

The home side retaliated well following this chance, holding the ball high up the pitch and forcing FCK to drop deep. A header by Dennis Flinta served as a warning to the Copenhagen defence, and with six minutes to go Frank Hansen tried his luck from distance, but his shot struck the inside of the post and sailed across the face of goal to safety.

In the final stages of the game Pourié received his marching orders with a second yellow card, but FCK had no time to take advantage of the extra man as Claus Bo Larsen drew the game to an uneventful close. The 0-0 draw sees Copenhagen’s lead at the top of the Superliga cut to three points, with a trip to Lyngby coming up next Sunday.

SILKEBORG IF: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 0

Silkeborg IF: Heinze, Flinta, Holst Rasmussen, Jakobsen, Mikkelsen, Ritter, Pedersen, Hansen, Poulsen, Bech, Holst.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland(C), Jacobsen, Ottesen, Stadsgaard, Oviedo, Vingaard, Grindheim, Bolaños, Delaney, Santin, N’Doye.

Referee: Claus Bo Larsen.