AB Gladsaxe played against Thisted on Saturday, and it was another fantastic victory. This time at 4-2.
The stage was set for an exciting match, and as is often the case between the two teams, also an even match, where both teams with a win would climb closer to the top 6. However, the result today ended with AB being able to spend the winter in 7th place, only one point behind HIK. Thisted has to spend the winter in 11th place with 17 points.
Despite the fact that several players were quarantined and there were cancellations from Ægir Jarl Jonasson, head coach Joey Gudjonsson and the coaching staff had put together a really good starting line-up.
Compared to the last game, Yael Liesdek replaced the suspended Rasmus Brodersen, Darren Sidoel replaced the suspended Ægir Jarl Jonasson, Steven Simpson replaced the suspended O’Vonte Mullings, giving the following starting line-up: Albert Gaub-Jacobsen took care of the goal, Adrien Koudelka and Mikkel Brund the central defender, Mikkel Nielsen at right back, Yael Liesdek at left back. In central midfield were Søren Ilsøe and Darren Sidoel, on the right wing Steven Simpson and on the left wing Yushi Yamaya. In front were Marco Ramkilde and Tobias Hageltorn.
During the game, Marco Ramkilde, Mikkel Nielsen, Steven Simpson, Tobias Hageltorn and Yael Liesdek retired. They were replaced by Onesime Tembe, Flamur Dzelili, Frederik Lindgaard, Emil Mygind and Noah Ibsen.
AB started in a high and strong pressure, which forced Thisted all the way back on the field. AB sat on the game, put together good and fast combinations, and did not give Thisted much time on the ball.
The AB players fought fantastically and for each other, and already after six minutes a corner kick ended up in the box, where Tobias Hageltorn was correctly placed and sent the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead. It didn’t take more than three minutes before AB scored again. After a small shooting tent, the ball ended up with Yushi Yamaya, who scored to make the score 2-0.
Albert Gaub-Jacobsen prevented Thisted from entering the game by pulling a phantom save out of his sleeve after a Thisted player had gotten completely free.
After 20 minutes, Yushi Yamaya received a long pass and ran from the middle of the pitch towards Thisted’s defense, where he rounded a couple of players before scoring right at the post to make it 3-0.
On the whole, Yushi Yamaya played a really good game, where he was very active and outreaching, and even scored two goals.
Towards the break, AB was still on the game and it gave great chances to Søren Ilsøe and Marco Ramkilde. Thisted tried set pieces and long balls into the box, but AB’s defense was solid, and Adrien Koudelka and Mikkel Brund cleared excellently.
After the break, AB quickly got a chance, where the post saved for Thisted. Subsequently, Thisted came into the game much better and for several periods pushed AB back in their own half of the field. Thisted had, among other things, a really good shot from distance, where Mikkel Brund just got blocked. Thisted also had a shot on the joint, and a few minutes later, a penalty was correctly awarded to Thisted. Christian Brøgger Hørbye scored safely and reduced the score to 1-3.
There was to be more excitement when Thisted’s Emil Steen Lagergaard reduced the score to 2-3 in the 78th minute. It gave excitement, but it was AB who took the victory after Flamur Dzelili in five minutes of overtime finally closed the game with a score to 4-2.
Captain Søren Ilsøe put a lot of emphasis on the good fight after the game.
“We have got the spark back – two wins in a row. We work well for each other, and then we have been really hungry to get some victories. We all fight for it and play well together. Luck is turning a bit on our side now, and I’m sure it’s because we’re working harder. We get to make the chances bigger and then to some extent get luck on our side. We are going through the challenges like never before.
Before the game, we said to each other that when we were done with the game today, we were completely done and had fought everything we could, so we could come back with a good feeling in January. That’s what we’re dealing with now, and then you don’t actually want to go on holiday. With the victory today and our efforts, we can go on holiday with a really good feeling, and we can look forward to coming back in January,” Søren Ilsøe concludes.
A happy and satisfied head coach Joey Gudjonsson is looking forward to the break.
“It was an exciting and interesting match. We got off to a really good start, and there was almost fire in the players’ eyes. There was great quality in the game and many really good performances. We could have scored more goals in the 1st half, and it was great that we came up with so many chances. We knew that Thisted would take chances after the break. They made three substitutions from the start of the 2nd half.
They got goals on the penalty kick, which gave them hope, and we had to change and make some changes because of tired legs and injuries. They took the initiative and got the upper hand, but I still think we got through it and also created some chances. They deserved to get into the game, because they fought really hard for it.
The players showed good character and continued, even though Thisted scored to make it 2-3, and we could hear the crowd cheering. Thisted believed in it, but we had the strength to continue. It was great to see that we captured the ball and played it to Flamur, who scored to make it 4-2. It was completely deserved by us today, and it’s great that we can take a break with that effort,” concludes Joey Gudjonsson.
Ahead is the holiday, and everyone will return on Tuesday 7 January 2025 for training and training matches. The tournament starts up again on Saturday 8 March 2025 at 2 pm at Gladsaxe Stadium, where BK Frem will pass by.
