Emmanuel Sabbi and Christian Cappis each netted the ultimate winning goals for their respective teams, as Odense and Brøndby advanced to the final 16 of the Danish Cup.
FC Helsingør 0 – 3 Odense BK
Emmanuel Sabbi was on-target for Odense on Tuesday night’s cup action, as the team eased past second-tier Helsingør with a three-goal shut-out.
The American had his team off the mark in the 11th minute, when he beat a crowd of defenders on his run into the area, made a quick cut-back to create an open line on goal, and fired his 17-yard shot into the upper left corner.
Odense needed only another eight minutes to double the lead, with Jens Jakob Thomasen launching a long free kick from the right flank to the far side of the six-yard box, where Kasper Larsen was in perfect position for a direct headed goal for 2-0.
Three minutes later, the visitors effectively put the game out of reach after Max Fenger took advantage of chaos in the midfield, and ran onto a stray ball while storming full-speed at the Helsingør goal. The keeper ran out of the area at a last ditch attempt to thwart the attacker, however Fenger easily rounded the helpless opponent and put away the tap-in.
Despite Helsingør putting on a much-improved performance after the break, and having several opportunities, including an 85th minute penalty attempt, they were unable to cut into the deficit, with Odense holding onto the 3-0 victory.
Odense will have a tougher opponent for the final 16 in late-October, as they visit fellow Superliga competitors Nordsjaelland. Before then, they have a full league schedule, beginning with a visit to Viborg on Sunday.
Allerød FK 1 – 8 Brøndby IF
Brøndby midfielder Christian Cappis was a major catalyst in the team’s blow-out victory over fifth-tier Allerød FK on Thursday evening.
While there was little doubt as to which team came into the game as overwhelming favorites, Brøndby still toiled for over 20 minutes before beginning to unload on their opponents.
The dam broke after 25 minutes when Andrija Pavlovic headed in a long cross near the left corner of the six-yard box for 1-0, then Cappis struck two minutes later, sneaking through the defense on a run into the left side of the area before striking low and on-target for 2-0.
The American scored his second of the night two minutes before half in spectacular fashion, receiving a pass at 40 yards out, and taking a few steps forward before launching a powerful shot that ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar and into goal for 3-0.
Michael Lumb added a fourth for the team moments later with a low shot from inside the six-yard box, giving the team an unassailable four-goal lead heading into the half.
The second half was a continuation of first, with Brøndby adding four more; Pavlovic scored his second of the game at the 57-minute mark, Jagvir Singh made it 6-0 in the 73rd, Oskar Fallenius added a seventh moments later, and Mikael Uhre put a cap on the eight-goal performance from the spot with 11 minutes left on the clock.
While Allerød did score an opportunistic consolation goal in the 85th minute off the foot of Tobias Christiansen, the result had long since been sealed, sending Brøndby home with the victory.
Brøndby are rewarded for their efforts with another highly favorable matchup against another lower division opponent, this time Aalborg Freja. In the meantime, they will try to revive their lagging league campaign with a home game against Aalborg BK on Sunday.
