Wiland spurs Lions to victory

25/04 2011 18:48

Johan Absalonsen was handed his first start in an FCK shirt as coach Ståle Solbakken shuffled his squad following their win over Lyngby before the Easter weekend. With Dame N’Doye suspended, Kenneth Zohore came into the attack while Oscar Wendt replaced Pierre Bengtsson at left back. In the centre of defence, Mikael Antonsson was rested for Jos Hooiveld.

by Joe Short

While Copenhagen won the Danish Superliga last week, Silkeborg still have a potential UEFA Europa League spot to play for. And the away side showed their determination to stake a claim for Europe, dominating the early stages of the game. While Claudemir headed a corner over on four minute, it was SIF who created the first real chance when quick Frank Hansen feet played Christian Holst through, but his low cross couldn’t find the stretching Kaimar Saag.

In the 24th minute loose defending from Mathias Zanka gave Holst room to turn in the box, but Hooiveld blocked before the midfielder could get a shot away. At the other end, Oscar Wendt danced through the Silkeborg backline, but his right-footed shot was at a good height for Lasse Heinze to punch clear. Christian Bolaños then stung the keeper’s hands with a fierce free kick.

As the half progressed FCK forced their way into the game. On 31 minutes Jesper Grønkjær tricked his way free on the right wing, sent a deep ball over to Absalonsen whose side-footed volley blazed over.

Wiland proves resilient stopper

Although Copenhagen were knocking on the SIF door, it was at the other end where the real drama of the half evolved. With four minutes to half time, Johan Wiland got down to his left to block a close-range Holst shot. The save was impressive enough in itself, but what was more spectacular was the scramble across his goal line to block Saag’s rebound effort. However, Wiland could do little with the third shot. The ball fell to Saag again – the goalkeeper defenceless. And yet, to everyone’s surprise, Saag blasted his open goal opportunity onto the crossbar and away to safety.

Maybe the team was buoyed by Wiland’s determination, for they came out for the second half with real purpose. Claudemir had another opportunity to score from close, but he mistimed his shot after Wendt had got clear on the left of the area. Absalonsen also looped a header over, before he and Zohore made way for César Santin and Thomas Kristensen.

The effect of the double substitution was almost instant, with the Lions attacking with greater flair and control. Only a great tackle from Jesper Mikkelsen prevented Santin from shooting, while Claudemir headed another effort over on 62 minutes. Moments later, Zdenek Pospech pushed his way into the SIF area: only to see his shot deflected wide.

Claudemir strike opens scoring

Eventually the pressure paid off for FCK, and Claudemir got his well-earned reward. In the 76th minute, Wendt picked up a loose ball outside the Silkeborg box and, instead of wildly swinging a leg at it, played Claudemir in on the left. The Brazilian controlled before dinking a wonderful curling shot over Heinze and into the far corner.

Although taking the lead, Copenhagen could not afford to get complaisant. A minute after the strike Hooiveld was the only man in the way of a certain SIF goal, blocking off a cross-goal ball that had already beaten Wiland.

Lions fans were not to worry about a tense finish however, as with seven minutes to go Bolaños secured the home win. A deflected Pospech cross bounced off Heinze’s far post and fell to Bolaños’s feet on the penalty spot. The Costa Rican won’t get an easier opportunity all season as he smashed home the loose ball.

In the dying minutes Saag had a free header from an SIF corner, but his effort sailed high over Wiland’s crossbar. Santin did the same at the other end after neat Kristensen footwork, but 2-0 it was set to stay as Copenhagen look to finish the season on a strong note.

FC COPENHAGEN: 2 SILKEBORG IF: 0

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Wendt, Zanka, Hooiveld, Pospech, Claudemir, Absalonsen, Kvist (C), Bolaños, Grønkjær, Zohore.

Silkeborg IF: Heinze. Rasmussen, Jakobsen, Flinta, Svensson, Risgård, Hansen, Ørnskov, Holst, Mikkelsen, Saag.

Goals: Claudemir (76’), Bolaños (84’)

Referee: Kenn Hansen.