The season is now underway and it was with great excitement and joy that everyone had been looking forward to the first match of the 2024-2025 season, where AB Gladsaxe met Næstved at Gladsaxe Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw on a goal by Næstved’s Frederik Emil Christensen in the 11th minute and an equalizer by Agúst Hlynsson in the 69th minute.
It was an intense match, where both teams fought through in the hot summer weather. The referee handed out a total of 8 warnings – 5 to AB and 3 to Næstved.
AB started with Marcus Bobjerg on goal. Adrien Koudelka, Hørdur Askham and Mikkel Brund played in central defence, with Rasmus Brodersen on the left side of the defence and Agust Hlynsson on the right side. The midfield consisted of Søren Ilsøe and Daniel A. Pedersen. On the left wing was Flamur Dzelili and on top was Christian Wagner and in a slightly withdrawn attacking role was Ægir Jarl Jonasson. So there was a debut for Marcus Bobjerg and Ægir Jarl Jonasson.
During the 2nd half, Hørdur Askham retired after a twist in his ankle and he was replaced by Yael Liesdek, who made his debut. Flamur Dzelili retired and O’Vonte Mullings came on the field. Søren Ilsøe leaves the field and is replaced by Darren Sidoel. Emil Mygind Jensen replaces Christian Wagner.
In the beginning of the match, most of the play took place in the middle of the field. It was AB who set the tone and had the initiative. Næstved let AB be in control of the game and lurked for conversions. In the 11th minute, a conversion came when Næstved broke the play in midfield and sent a pass out on their left wing between Adrien Koudelka and Agúst Hlynsson. The Næstved player dribbles towards goal and passes into the box. AB could not get the ball out of the box, and Næstved got 3-4 shots before the ball went into the goal for the lead.
The goal gave Næstved more play, and shortly after they have several shots, where Marcus Bobjerg parried and finally Hørdur Askham header the ball out of the box.
AB works their way back into the game, and gets the upper hand again and ends the 1st half best.
Næstved starts well in the 2nd half, but AB quickly gets a handle on the game. AB has most of the game, but Næstved are good at shutting AB down. So AB has plenty of play, but does not get the chance to create scoring chances. After 70 minutes, the reward comes, where O’Vonte Mullings with great speed comes through on the edge and plays Christian Wagner in the box. He plays behind to Agúst Hlynsson, who takes a couple of moves and knocks the ball all the way into the left corner to equalize 1-1.
Mikkel Brund’s long throw-in provided opportunities, where Darren Sidoel on a pass could shoot a very good shot. Næstved gets a great chance around 80 minutes, but the defense kicks the ball away. Næstved gets another changeover, and Rasmus Brodersen has to take another long trip and gets him up.
Seen from the outside, Næstved’s way of drawing time must be a sign that they must be most satisfied with a point.
It was an approved premiere, but it was a shame that AB could not get the 3 points in front of the 639 spectators in attendance.
Head coach Joye Gudjonsson said after the game: “As the game develops and we get an early goal against us, Næstved has only one intention, and that is to defend the goal. They made it difficult for us. I think the players showed good character and didn’t give up, and they fought on. The last 10 minutes we could have done a bit more to win the game. We could have played the ball behind their back line and also played more balls into the box and maybe have gone a little more to it.
The sun dried the pitch very quickly, so it was very dry at the end of the match. This made it difficult to play with fast passes. It forced us to play with more long balls, which are easier to intercept and defend. I think we created some good chances and with a little more quality in the finishing in both halves, we could have scored. But overall, it was a good game and the players played with heart and gave everything they had. We played against a team that was happy to just get a draw. We must be aware of this from now on. The opponents will come here and defend themselves and most will be happy with a point here. In a way, we have to be proud of it, but we also have to create a good performance, because we want to win the games.”
Captain Daniel A. Pedersen gave this statement: “It’s a bit of a mixed feeling here after the game. If there should have been a winner, I think it should have been us. They get an annoying goal, which makes us chase, but come back fine. We try to play in a way that we have worked. But it is clear that in the first game, not everything succeeded.
But important that we come away from the game with a point. We would have liked to have won the game and I also think that we are the ones who push in the end and actually do it the whole game. Næstved stands compact and they stand down on their own half and let us take control. It will be difficult to break down.
Of course, we should have been better in the final third. They are waiting for changes and we must be aware of that.
But I actually think that we have control of the contras that arise. It probably won’t be the last team we meet in the tournament that is low, so it’s definitely something we have to work on getting the game faster so that we can move them around. Now the first game is over and we get a point.”
The next match will be played on Friday 9 August 2024 at 19:00 against Nykøbing FC at Lollands Bank Park.
