AB played today against FC Nordsjælland, who with the current position as no. 5 in the Superliga, was a strong opponent in the first of two quarter-finals. There was faith in a good result both from the team and the many fans. They managed to go to the break 0-0, but the game unfortunately ended in a 0-3 defeat. The second quarter-final will be played on Saturday 9 August at 15.30 also in Farum. AB lined up with five players in the back line and stood in the 1st half compact and very good on the field. FCN had the ball a lot, as expected, but AB often blocked FCN’s dangerous play through the chains. FCN had several chances, not least on good crosses, which AB’s defense cleared with good interventions from Albert Gaub-Jacobsen. Hørdur Askham made sure that FCN did not take the lead, as he energetically saved the ball on the line. From the start of the 2nd half, FCN put a lot of pressure on AB, and a bad clearance sends the ball to FCN’s feet, and a cross after just 2 minutes ends with a header, which Albert Gaub-Jacobsen saves, but the ball goes straight out to Conrad Harder, who scores to make it 1-0.
After that, AB comes along better and tries to play the ball all the time. FCN picks up the pace and after 70 minutes a cross from the right side enters the box and Ibrahim Osman can easily rise up and score on a header to make it 2-0. AB got a couple of good chances, and with a little more cynicism and luck, AB could well have gotten on the scoresheet. However, it was FCN who with another cross in the 86th minute takes a 3-0 lead on another goal by Conrad Harder.
All in all, a fine and focused effort that provided good learning in the long run.
The match was broadcast live on DR 2 and it led to a lot of focus on both teams and captain Daniel A. Pedersen was interviewed live on TV both before and after the match. Captain Daniel A. Pedersen of course also had a statement for the website: “I am proud that we deliver a really good team performance and we run and fight for each other all the way through. Of course, I’m tired of the 3 goals – it was a bit too simple with balls into the box and headers. With a bit of luck, we could also have put in one or two goals. So it’s a shame, but I’m proud of the way we’re standing together. We don’t give up and fight the whole game. It’s great with the support of our fans. It’s a great support, and it’s great to see. That’s also what’s great about AB – they’re there and they sing throughout the game and also here afterwards. We really appreciate that.”
Head coach David Roufpanah said immediately after the game: “The first half was good in many ways, we played well together, we were difficult to get through. We have some half chances and come up with chances. In the 2nd half we don’t start so well and they get a goal. After that, I think we’ll come back, but I’m not happy with the last 20 minutes. They get two goals that are too easy. We get too stressed and want to open up our team and want too much. You have to have a little more patience in such matches. We face a good team, but I think three nil is a bit unnecessary. We could have done more. But we have a lot of good sequences, so we also play well, but it’s a very difficult team to play against. I’m not disappointed, but I can’t be happy when we lose 3-0 either. We have really good support from our fans today and I think they show good morale and support us. So we hope we can come back on Saturday and give them a good game.”
The starting line-up was:
Albert Gaub Jacobsen
Erik Lindell
Adrien Koudelka
Hard Askham
Rasmus Brodersen
Daniel A. Pedersen
Darren Sidoel
Søren Ilsøe
Mark Garly Pedersen
Pachanga Kristensen
Tim Freriks
There were 1,900 spectators at Right to Dream Park.
