Denmark round-up: Leading duo held
Sunday, June 1, 2003
Article summary
FC København remain one point ahead of Brøndby IF after both sides could only draw this weekend.
Article body
FC København remain one point ahead of title rivals Brøndby IF after both sides could only manage a point from the weekend's fixtures.
FCK lead the way
With only three Superliga games remaining, FCK top the standings with 54 points, one ahead of reigning champions Brøndby. Having started the Spring season nine points clear at the top, FCK's 1-1 home draw against Odense BK means that the title race is now wide open. Brøndby missed their chance to reach the summit when they were held to the same scoreline by Viborg FF.
Miti equaliser
FCK midfield player Morten Bisgaard had a goal disallowed for an offside, before South African international striker Sibusiso Zuma gave the hosts the lead just before the interval, converting after fine work by Thomas Roll and Peter Nielsen. A crowd of over 25,000 saw FCK dominate much of the possession, but Zambian substitute Mwape Miti levelled for the visitors with only two minutes remaining.
Jonsson the hero
Brøndby's away game against relegation-threatened Viborg began 45 minutes after the final whistle in Copenhagen but the Danish Cup winners were unable to take advantage of FCK's slip. Jonas Kamper, Mattias Jonsson, Morten Wieghorst all missed good chances, before Viborg took the lead seven minutes into the second half. An error by Brøndby keeper Casper Ankergreen allowed Soren Frederiksen time and space to find a simple path to goal. Brøndby's pressure intensified as the game wore on and they found a deserved equaliser seven minutes from time when Jonsson headed Kamper's cross from the right into the far corner.
Esbjerg in charge
Esbjerg fB strengthened their chances to European qualification with a remarkable 4-1 home win over FC Midtjylland. Midtjylland, who were still hoping for the UEFA Cup themselves, seemed physically and mentally drained after Thursday's 3-0 defeat against Brøndby in the cup final. They could do nothing to stop Esbjerg's Under-21 international Tommy Bechmann, who scored his side's first and third goals, as well as setting up the Superliga's top scorer Jan Kristiansen.
Farum held
Elsewhere, Farum were held to a 2-2 draw by AGF Århus, while Aalborg BK beat Køge BK 1-0. Akademisk Boldklub took an important step away from the relegation zone with a 3-1 home win over Silkeborg IF.