A fine defensive effort and a somewhat leaner offensive effort earned a single point in Sunday’s home match against Silkeborg. The match was marked by a number of duels, but neither of the two teams quite reached the offensive level we know they are capable of.
It was the home team that made the best start in the first couple of minutes. A high press led to a couple of TK’s long throws, but Silkeborg defended well in the box. This was followed by a somewhat quieter period, where both teams stood more securely in their lines, and much of the play took place in midfield.
It therefore took a full 23 minutes before the first chance of the match appeared. It was, however, a big one. A Silkeborg player was brought down just outside the box, and from the resulting free kick SIF’s no. 19, Magnus Mattson, forced FC Helsingør’s Mikkel Bruhn into a major save, as the goalkeeper got all the way to the post and got the slightest touch on the ball. Big chance, and an even bigger save.
There were scattered attempts at chances, but both teams defended well, and the ball usually did not get any further than just outside the boxes before being shut down. After 38 minutes, Tontini was found well in behind, and Simon Skou Jacobsen had to concede a corner. TK took it, and it was really good, but Silkeborg goalkeeper Peter Friis managed to get to the ball before Martin Fisch, who had otherwise crept into the box and was perfectly placed for a header at the back post.
Just before halftime, Holst and Adan Mohammad played a nice 1-2, but at the very last moment a SIF defender got a foot in and another promising move was stopped, and the teams could go into the break after a not particularly eventful first half.
In the second half there was a bit more edge in the duels, but otherwise chances were still few and far between. Silkeborg got a big chance after about an hour, when a cross was just about to find two SIF players in the box, but once again Mikkel Bruhn got down well and pulled another big save out of the bag.
After 73 minutes, FC Helsingør’s first shot on target in the second half came. Substitute Ricki Olsen found Felipe Tontini, who took the ball on and finished in the same motion, but his fine, powerful effort unfortunately went straight at goalkeeper Friis.
Just three minutes later, fellow substitute Tobias Christensen got a shot away, as Akharraz from the right side found Ricki Olsen well, who played the ball through to “Toby” in behind, but his attempt went just past the post. A decent effort from FCH.
A minute later Silkeborg had a huge chance, as newly substituted Dennis Flinta delivered a cross to Tobias Sahlquist, who was completely free in the box right in front of goal, but his header went straight into the hands of Mikkel Bruhn. Close for the visitors.
After 84 minutes Silkeborg had a double chance, as first Jens Martin Gammelby smashed a free kick toward the far corner, which Mikkel Bruhn once again had to deal with, and from the ensuing corner it was centimetres from SIF taking the lead, as the ball sailed between friends and foes before eventually going out behind the goal. It was coming close at the end for FC Helsingør.
But neither team managed to break the deadlock, and so the match ended as it began with 0-0 on the scoreboard.
FCH: Bruhn, Jørgensen, Gregor, Henriksen, Fisch, Mohammad, P. Olsen, Christian “TK” Köhler, Holst, Tontini, Stückler
Substitutes: Christensen, R. OIsen, Akharraz
Photo: Claus Birch. clausbirch.dk
