Allbäck puts København ahead
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Article summary
FC København 1-0 Beitar Jerusalem FC
Marcus Allbäck's early goal gave the Danish champions the advantage against their counterparts from Israel.
Article body
FC København took a step towards another UEFA Champions League group stage campaign as Marcus Allbäck scored the only goal of their second qualifying round first leg against Beitar Jerusalem FC.
Early goal
Against a team playing their first match in this competition for a decade, København attracted a crowd of 21,339 to the Parken Stadium and within nine minutes they were celebrating as Morten Nordstrand crossed for fellow striker Allbäck to put the Danish champions ahead. The home side continued to dominate but although Allbäck went close with a shot and a header the lead was not increased.
Ten men rally
Eight minutes after the break Beitar lost Ghanaian midfielder Derek Boateng to a second yellow card but it was the visitors' substitute Milovan Mirosević who had the best opportunity following the interval, though København, missing key midfielder Rasmus Würtz through injury, held on to their lead. However, Beitar still have a good chance of progress in their home return next Wednesday.
