Mos Abdellaoue’s 31st-minute equaliser earned FC Copenhagen a point against a resilient SønderjyskE team. The Norwegian’s second goal of the season came shortly after FCK had gone a goal down, and the draw keeps the Lions near the top of the Superliga.
by Joe Short
There was just one change made to FCK’s starting XI from their 4-2 win over Midtjylland, Martin Bergvold coming into the centre of midfield to replace the suspended Claudemir. Just 45 seconds into the game César Santin broke free and sprinted into the right side of the SønderjyskE box, shooting low only to see a last-minute block deflecting the ball for a corner.
On five minutes both Bryan Oviedo and Sölvi Ottesen went close from set pieces, the latter just unable to steer a free ball towards goal from a corner. At the other end Quincy Antipas gave Johan Wiland his first test of the game, shooting just wide of the left post.
The early FCK pressure died down for a time however, and the Lions were forced to contain the ball at the back. Another set piece again almost opened the scoring on 22 minutes, when Thomas Kristensen’s flicked header looked destined to find the goal. Håkon Opdal’s firm palm thumped the ball clear on the line however.
Oviedo the architect!
As so often happens in football, defence can quickly turn into attack. SønderjyskE’s Eyjólfur Hédinsson took perfect advantage of Opdal’s save, as the home side immediately moved up the field to take the lead. Hédinsson found himself with space on the edge of the FCK box, and his fierce direct strike at goal left Wiland with no chance.
But the lead didn’t last long, as Jacobs’ side hit back six minutes later with a wonderful team goal. Oviedo exchanged a lovely one-two with Santin to play the Costa Rican through on goal. The winger – rather than shoot – selflessly passed square to Mos Abdellaoue, eliminating the keeper as Mos tapped in from close range: 1-1!
Oviedo was soon back to defensive duties, executing a fantastic tackle to stop Lasse Vibe on the SøE right wing, before doing the same to Antipas moments later. On 36 minutes Abdellaoue was half a yard from poaching another goal, tapping in Martin Vingaard’s deflected shot only to hear the referee’s whistle for offside.
Ref dismisses SøE penalty claim
Shortly before half time Antipas had a good claim for a penalty turned down after chesting the ball away from Lars Jacobsen in the area, only for Jacobsen to body check the striker. Referee Michael Tykgaard waived away protests, leaving Jacobsen to jog away sheepishly from the scene.
The start of the second half took time to rekindle the pace of the first, but soon Hédinsson tested Wiland with a strong header from a corner, the Swedish goalkeeper plucking the ball out the air. At the other end Santin made room to lay off to Martin Vingaard on 60 minutes, but the winger could only force a corner.
On came Andreas Cornelius to try and bolster FCK’s attacking options, but the Lions simply couldn’t break down their opponents despite numerous set pieces.
Points shared
Daniel Christensen came close with a well-struck effort from just outside Wiland’s box on 77 minutes, but it was Copenhagen who looked more determined going forward. Yet FCK could not convert a flurry of corners as SønderjyskE sat deep without the ball.
Very little of note occurred in the remaining 10 minutes, with the home side happy to watch FCK pass around looking for a breakthrough. It never quite came, although with seconds remaining Christian Bolaños was played open on the right wing, but a covering defender closed down his shot.
Next up for Copenhagen is a friendly against English Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion, at PARKEN on Wednesday evening.
SØNDERJYSKE: 1 FC COPENHAGEN: 1
SønderjyskE: Opdal, Storbæk, Paulsen, Lodberg, Christensen, O’Brien, Bødker, Vibe, Hansen, Hédinsson, Antipas.
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen, Ottesen, Sigurdsson, Oviedo, Bolaños, Bergvold, Kristensen, Vingaard, Santin, Abdellaoue.
Goals: Hédinsson, SønderjyskE (25’), Abdellaoue (31’).
Referee: Michael Tykgaard.
Photos: FCK.dk
