FC Copenhagen 1-0 Rubin Kazan - Ndoye sends Copenhagen to victory

Posted Tuesday, September 14, 2010 by PA

Dame Ndoye's headed goal after 87 minutes was enough for FC Copenhagen to open their Champions League campaign with a home win over Russian champions Rubin Kazan.

A match short on highlights had been seemingly headed for a draw until Ndoye ran unchallenged to meet Martin Vingaard's free-kick and direct his header back across goal and in off a post.

And the Danish side's three points could yet prove priceless in a Group B that is set to be dominated by Barcelona.

With Panathinaikos making up the group, the Greek side lost 5-1 at Barca tonight, it looks like a race between the remaining three to capture the second qualification place.

Copenhagen's success gives them the early advantage although they had to wait until almost the very end to seal their win.

Rubin started the brighter of the two side's with Nigeria international Obafemi Martins shooting over from distance before Cristian Ansaldi shot straight at home goalkeeper Johan Wiland.

Vingaard was then off target with Copenhagen's first shot after eight minutes.

Neither side was creating much and the Russian side's best hopes were from distance with Martins, Rafal Murawski and Cristian Noboa all off target with shots from outside the area.

Rubin goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov was briefly called into action when he tipped over after Vingaard's corner threatened his goal.

After the break the tepid encounter continued with neither side showing any signs they could break down the other.

As a result the best hope of a goal came from long-range but the visitors, who were content to try their luck from distance, could not find their radar.

Vitali Kaleshin and Murawski both shot high with speculative efforts.

At the other end William Kvist at least forced Ryzhikov into action but that was merely to hold onto a tame 18-yard shot.

Rubin finally got a shot on target in the 75th minute when midfielder Noboa hot his 25-yard effort sweetly but Wiland was well placed.

With both side's almost resigned to a goalless draw Copenhagen broke the deadlock from a set-piece.

Vingaard floated his free-kick to the back post where Ndoye was allowed a free run at the ball and he expertly directed his header back across goal to the delight of the home fans.

It was perhaps a little harsh on Rubin, who might have got an equaliser soon after when Wiland made a good block to keep out Gokdeniz Karadeniz from close-range.