AB Gladsaxe followed up on the last games’ fine results in the promotion play-offs and won 1-0 in the match against Nykøbing FC. The goal was scored by Darren Sidoel on a nice shot after 16 minutes. In relation to the match against FC Roskilde, Christian Wagner and O’Vonte Mullings took their place on the bench and were replaced by Tim Freriks and Ahmed Hassan up front. Mark Garly Pedersen replaced Søren Ilsøe, who was out due to quarantine. 412 spectators watched a good game on a fine pitch despite the massive rain throughout the day.
AB’s starting line-up was:
16 Albert Gaub-Jacobsen (goalkeeper)
3 Erik Lindell
4 Adrien Koudelka
5 Rasmus Brodersen
8 Darren Sidoel
10 Tim Freriks (out) – O’Vonte Mullings (in)
17 Yushi Yamaya (out) – Flamur Dzelili (in)
22 Ágúst Hlynsson
24 Mark Garly Pedersen
34 Mikkel Brund
97 Ahmed Hassan (out) – Christian Wagner (in)
Immediately after the game, head coach David Roufpanah said: “We are playing a stable and good game. For large parts of the game, we are a better team. We win the game and of course we are happy with that. We are happy with many things, but it is frustrating that we do not score more goals. Because we create really good chances. We have to get back on the training ground and keep developing. Now we have played three really good games in the promotion game and today we have also kept a clean sheet. So in many ways a good game. Good support from our travelling fan, so all in all a good AB evening”.
From the first whistle, AB got off to a good start and put the game high on the field. The pressure on Nykøbing FC was great and AB played several good opportunities. After 15 minutes, Darren Sidoel runs across the middle and when no one went to him, he shot the ball to the opposite corner and into the goal for a 1-0 lead without a chance of a save from Tobias Brogaard, Nykøbing FC’s goalkeeper. Nykøbing FC seemed a little uncertain and the game didn’t really hang together for them. They had some opportunities on corner kicks and a free kick just outside the box, but the shot was sent over goal. Ahmed Hassan shoots a very good shot, but the keeper saves. Ágúst Hlynsson quickly comes to the fore, but his shot is blocked. Tim Freriks is close to shooting the riposte into the goal, but he gets a push, which is not judged. Shortly after, Ágúst Hlynsson is again quickly forward and passes to Tim Freriks, but his shot is blocked. A cross is shot to the back post, where Mikkel Brund comes high up and is close to scoring, but the ball hits the crossbar. It was a well-played half that should have resulted in more goals.
After the break, Nykøbing FC comes into the game much better and also at times puts pressure on AB’s goal. Nykøbing again has some dangerous corner kicks, but the defense clears well. As the half progressed, AB again got control of the game with fast play and good combinations. At the end of the game, Nykøbing FC tried to put pressure on AB for an equalizer, but AB’s defense stood really well and it never really became dangerous. As one Nykøbing fan in the stands said: “They play smart football – we are pushed to the bottom!”
Captain Darren Sidoel once again played a really good game and said after the game: “I think we played well and of course it’s always easier to play when you’re leading 1-0. We had a lot of chances to get to 2-0, but if you don’t get another goal, then the chances of them scoring a goal are there and then it’s more fifty-fifty. We have to learn to close the game. Overall, we played a good game, but we have to score more goals now that we have the chances.”
Albert Gaub-Jacobsen followed up and said: “It went really well. It was the first clean sheet in a long time. It’s a great feeling and it was a huge team effort. We set the game well in the 1st half, but we get off to a slow start in the 2nd half. So it’s good that we fight the win and get it under control during the 2nd half. It’s a good feeling to be left with. Now it’s the next game that awaits.”
