Verbic stunner wins it for Lions

Benjamin Verbic’s first-half wonder strike was enough for FC Copenhagen as they edged past title challengers SønderjyskE 1-0 in Telia Parken.

Verbic, fresh from representing Slovenia during the international break, let fly a shot from 30 yards just a minute before half time.

Striker Federico Santander twice fluffed opportunities to get on the scoresheet, while Bashkim Kadrii missed the target two minutes from time.

SønderjyskE, meanwhile, could have levelled at the death but Thomas Dalgaard placed wide a low cross from five yards out.

Manager Ståle Solbakken made two changes from the XI that lost 2-0 at Nordsjælland before the international break.

Mathias Zanka returned in the centre of defence for Mikael Antonsson, while Federico Santander started up front in place of the suspended William Kvist.

SønderjyskE, mounting a serious title challenge this season, came into the game unbeaten in seven outings.

Striker Tommy Bechmann, with six goals for the season, was suspended for SønderjyskE and FCK enjoyed the majority of early play against a team looking to hit their hosts on the break.

For all the possession Copenhagen enjoyed in the opening throes they struggled to carve open much of an opportunity in front of goal.

Indeed, it took until 26 minutes for Verbic to spurn the match’s first chance when he blasted high a loose ball on the edge of the SønderjyskE area.

And was Verbic again moments before the break who gave FCK the lead in emphatic style.

Copenhagen had struggled to penetrate into the SøE box and so the winger went for a 30-yard pot shot that flew into the top-left corner of the net. 1-0.

Into the second half and again Verbic was the coordinator when FCK advanced. On 53 minutes the Slovenian found Kasper Kusk on the right, who in turn played Peter Ankersen in on goal. The full-back, instead of shooting, crossed low for Federico Santander at the back post but SønderjyskE cleared the danger.

Santander then had a gilt-edged chance to atone for his miss but his blazed a volley wide after Ankersen had again found the striker in space.

At the other end Mikel Hedegaard sent SønderjyskE’s first major chance - a volley during a penalty-area scramble - high over the crossbar.

Midway through the second half Verbic left the field for Bashkim Kadrii, while Nicolai Jørgensen was replaced by Andreas Cornelius, as Ståle swapped round his attacking ranks in search of a second goal.

And Cornelius almost provided it moments later when he headed a deep Ankersen centre across goal for Santander, whose header was saved with magnificent agility by goalkeeper Marin Skender.

FCK stopper Robin Olsen was called up to parry a well-directed Johan Absalonsen header with 10 minutes remaining - a sign of SønderjyskE’s threat on the counter attack.

Dalgaard could have stolen a point for the visitors in the last minute of normal time but side-footed a cross from the left wing wide of Olsen’s post.

Only a superb save from Skender stopped Youssef Toutouh rounding off the match before FCK saw out time in the SønderjyskE corner.

The win extends Copenhagen’s lead at the top of the Alka Superliga to nine points as attention now turns to Wednesday’s DBU Cup semi-final first leg with Brøndby at home.

FC COPENHAGEN: 1 SØNDERJYSKE: 0

FC Copehagen: Olsen, Ankersen, Zanka, Johnasson, Augustinsson, Kusk, Toutouh, Delaney, Verbic, Santander, Jørgensen.

SønderjyskE: Skender, Hedegaard, Kanstrup, Pedersen, Hende, Drachmann, Kroon, Guira, Madsen, Absalonsen, Dalgaard.

Goals: Verbic (44’).

Referee: Michael Johansen.