AB won today on a difficult away field. The victory was 1-0 over Thisted FC in the presence of 207 spectators. It was the first away win of the season and a very important victory compared to the battle for the top-6. In today’s game, there were four changes compared to the last game against Brabrand IF. Albert Gaub-Jacobsen was back in goal and Indy Groothuizen took a place on the bench. Søren Ilsøe, Darren Sideol and Emiliano Gomez replaced Christian Wagner, Julius Lind and Hakim Sighaoui.
The first 20 minutes of the game took place with play in the middle of the field without any significant chances for either team. A random ball gives Thisted the opportunity for a good finish, but Albert Gaub-Jacobsen blocked the shot. Rasmus Brodersen gets the chance in the box after a cross from Daniel A. Pedersen. The ball was headed over the goal. Thisted gets a similar chance and with the same result. After 37 min. Killian van Mil takes the chance with a shot well outside the box, but unfortunately the ball ended up over the goal again. After 40 minutes, Thisted FC has two chances to take the lead, but both times the post stands in the way. AB tried to keep the game along the ground and create the game and put good combinations together. After 51 min. Tim Freriks gets the ball and shoots a good shot, which hits the post and fortunately goes back into the box to Emiliano Gomez, who with a sharp inside score to lead 1-0.
Sørens Ilsøe played his first game after a long injury break, and made a fine effort in midfield. “A good away win here in Thisted. Not the prettiest victory, but a much-needed victory because now we are back in the Top-6. Personally for me, it was great to come back after almost 6 months without having played a match. I could feel that the match form is not quite back yet. I think it was a pleasure to see that we all fought for it. It’s not always you play the prettiest football, but we stand together as a team – I think that’s important. We have a good changing room and it was the coolest. 3 points and then it’s a long way home today”.
From the start of the 2nd half, AB starts with good energy. Puts more and more on the game, and there is still a lot of focus on the defensive part. It succeeds very well. Thisted FC was still in the game and were dangerous on a few chances, mainly on corner kicks. Of course, they were looking for an equaliser and have two big chances where the ball sneaks past the post. The defense held up well and managed to avert the situation when Thisted FC came closer.
A happy head coach David Roufpanah said after the game: “It was as expected on a difficult away pitch and a physical game. We start roughly in the first 30 minutes. After that, we get into the game well. Gets to create a little. In the 2nd half we have 30-35 really good minutes, where we create good chances and defend well. A really good effort by the players. We tried to play the game, but it was difficult and in the 2nd half the pitch became bad. But we kept going and the players worked so damn hard – it was just really good.”
After cheering and singing victory song in the locker room, captain Daniel A. Pedersen said: “It was fantastic to come over here and get a victory. Especially also when you are a defender, a 1-0 win tastes really good, at least from a defensive point of view. We are in a good position today. They become dangerous in the 1st half on some set pieces. Of course, it’s something we’ve talked about before, that we have to be careful not to give them too many set pieces and they don’t score.
I think we are solid in the 2nd half, especially after we get ahead. We play really smart at times and sometimes we just have to think twice. We get the win and it is incredibly important for the team and also that we can win an away game.”
In the starting line-up of the match were:
Albert Gaub-Jacobsen
Erik Lindell
Daniel A. Pedersen
Hard Askham
Rasmus Brodersen
Darren Sideol
Mark Garly Pedersen
Søren Ilsøe
Killian van Mil
Emiliano Gomez
Tim Freriks
See line-ups, substitutions, warnings, and times for goal scores.
The next match is the cup match on Wednesday 1 November at 7 pm at Gladsaxe Stadium, where Vejle BK from the Superliga is the opponent. Admission is free for Gladsaxe citizens – but remember your health card, which must be shown at the entrance.
