FCK achieve goal at Gorica
Tuesday, 27 July 2004
By Martin Pavcnik at Športni Park
[1] FC København had the better of the first leg of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie as they secured victory against Slovenian champions NK Gorica.
Cautious game
[2] Gorica, competing in the tournament for the first time, had beaten FC Flora in both legs of their debut tie but found the step up in class against the Danish title-holders just too much, although they are far from out of the tie ahead of the return in eight days' time following a cautious game.
Bergvold arrives
[3] With play largely confined to midfield, Michael Silberbauer had FCK's first chance, but his shot from close range was saved by Mitja Pirih in the Gorica goal. However, there was a blow to FCK soon after as midfield player Christian Traoré limped off, to be replaced by Martin Bergvold.
Santos scores
[4] The visitors remained marginally the better team, though, and Bergvold proved his worth with shots on 28 and 33 minutes that Pirih did well to save. He was beaten a minute before the break, though, as Silberbauer crossed from the right to Peter Møller, who with his back to goal cut back for Alvaro Santos to shoot in from three metres out.
Gorica level
[5] Gorica came out brighter in the second period and within 12 minutes had secured an equaliser. Aleš Puš set off on a run down the right and his high cross was headed in by Aleksandar Rodic.
Møller goal
[6] Admir Kršic then forced FCK custodian Magnus Kihlstedt to save, but it was the visitors who edged 2-1 ahead in the 77th minute when Jesper Bech twisted on the right and sent in a cross for Møller to head past Pirih. Gorica did not give up, but will now have to overturn a deficit in Copenhagen if they are to reach the next round.