Rosenborg hopes dashed in Denmark
Thursday 4 December 2008
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København's Atiba Hutchinson (left) vies with Alexander Tettey of Rosenborg (©AFP)
A late Mikael Antonsson equaliser for FC København ended Rosenborg BK's faint hopes of progressing from UEFA Cup Group G in this 1-1 draw in Copenhagen.
Spoils shared
Rosenborg needed a big win in their last game in the section to stand any chance of advancing to the last 32 and took a first-half lead through Steffen Iversen. That strike seemed to have earned the Norwegian visitors the points, but Antonsson's header with five minutes remaining ensured the spoils were shared. With Valencia CF and AS Saint-Etienne already through, the final qualifying spot will be a straight shoot-out between København and Club Brugge KV on Matchday 5.
Iversen strike
The two sides were adventurous from the outset and Rosenborg's Alexander Tettey had the first sight of goal but could not hit target from inside the area. Antonsson then tested away goalkeeper Rune Jarstein with a header from Libor Sionko's corner. It was Iversen, though, who broke the deadlock after 33 minutes, picking up Roar Strand's lay-off before finishing emphatically. Tettey almost added a second soon after but his shot crept just wide.
Home pressure
The hosts upped the ante after the interval and Rosenborg defender Mikael Dorsin had to be alert to block an attempt from Cesar Santin. Morten Nordstrand also went close soon after the hour as København increased the pressure. The Danish team were creating opportunities and their dominance finally paid off late on when Antonsson rose highest to meet a corner from Oscar Wendt and nod in from close range. Rosenborg nearly reclaimed the advantage through John Pelu but had to settle for a draw and finished their campaign with two points from four outings.
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