FC Copenhagen’s winter preparation got off to the perfect start on Tuesday, with a convincing 5-0 win over Vejle BK. Two hundred shivering spectators watched the match – played at FCK’s ‘number 10’ training facility – and witnessed Jos Hooiveld’s non-competitive debut for the club.

by Joe Short

Goals from César Santin, Dame N’Doye, Søren Frederiksen and a brace from Morten Nordstrand wrapped up the game for the Lions against an opposition competing for promotion to the Danish Superliga.

Head coach Ståle Solbakken had an entire squad to choose from, bar the injured Sölvi Ottesen and Johan Absalonsen. And he didn’t disappoint, making use of all 22 players at his disposal during the game. The eleven who started were substituted at half time.

Strikers maintain goalscoring instinct

Among the starting XI were Santin and N’Doye, who both showed they haven’t lost any form over the Christmas break. In the 20th minute Christian Bolaños played to N’Doye, who in turn put Santin in front of goal to easily score. Shortly before the half time whistle the roles were reversed. This time it was Santin’s turn to receive the initial ball – from Zdenek Pospech – and find N’Doye to tap in for 2-0. Apart from the two goals not a huge amount of action developed in the first half other than a neat Johan Wiland save on the half hour.

With a full squad change at half time, the 200 faithful got their first glimpse of Hooiveld, who immediately got himself noticed as being the only man in short sleeves. The Dutchman may not have been called in to desperate action, but nevertheless stuck to the task given to him. As was observed in the crowd, his stature and playing style is reminiscent of a young Ulrik Laursen.

Nordstrand double seals tie

The pace of the second half was evidently greater than the first, and the Danish champions created a host of chances. It was not surprising when Nordstrand made it 3-0 just seven minutes in, after decent link-up play between Martin Vingaard and Kenneth Zohore. While his first will be remembered as one of the easiest in his career, Nordstrand’s second goal was far from bland. The little striker picked up the ball just outside the box, beat one defender before hooking his shot into the net for 4-0.

Zohore could have had his moment in the weak sunshine with several good opportunities including an effort that could only rebound off the woodwork. Nevertheless, a fifth eventually came from Frederiksen, who followed up a Vingaard free kick to secure a resounding victory for the home side.

The performance will no doubt be viewed as good preparation for FCK’s trip to southern Spain for the Copa del Sol tournament. The team travel down on Wednesday, with their first match against Vålerenga on Thursday afternoon.

F.C. COPENHAGEN: 5 VEJLE BK: 0

FC Copenhagen – First Half: Wiland, Pospech, Zanka, Antonsson, Wendt, Bolaños, Claudemir, Kvist (C), Grønkjær, Santin, N'Doye.

FC Copenhagen – Second Half: Christensen, Oviedo, Hooiveld, Larsson, Frederiksen, Delaney, Kristensen, Bergvold, Vingaard, Zohore, Nordstrand.

Referee: Emil Laursen

Goals: Santin (21’), N’Doye (44’), Nordstrand (52’), Nordstrand (70’), Frederiksen (86’).