AB Gladsaxe played today, Saturday, August 16, 2025, against Brabrand IF away. AB won 2-1 with goals from O “’Vonte Mullings (23”’) and Casper Grening (55 “’). Brabrand’s goal was scored by Nemo Thomsen (42”’).

Those were important 3 points that went on the board, but it required good work ethic and fight for AB to get full value from their efforts.

AB’s Lineup

Compared to last week’s match against Helsingør, there was one change in the starting lineup, as Marco Vesterholm replaced an injured Søren Ilsøe in midfield. So in goal stood Adam Ingi Benediktsson, at right-back Frederik Lindgaard, in central defense Adrian Koudelka and Noah Ibsen, and at left-back Marc Dal Hende. In central midfield were Mikkel Brund and Marco Vesterholm, on the right wing O’Vonte Mullings and on the left wing Casper Grening. Up front were Ægir Jarl Jonásson and Marcus Immersen.

Match Report

From the start of the match, AB pressed well forward but didn’t get control of the game, because Brabrand with their good physicality managed to slow down AB’s usually good combination play. It therefore became largely a match on Brabrand’s terms with physical play, and AB resorted to long passes across midfield. AB”’s central defense stood firm throughout the match against Brabrand’s pressure. The central midfield with Mikkel Brund and Marco Vesterholm worked hard to get control of the play in midfield, with Mikkel Brund doing well in aerial duels.

AB had several shots in the first half, where Brabrand’s goalkeeper showed really good goalkeeping. Casper Grening and O’Vonte Mullings played well together with quick combinations and created chances that should have resulted in goals. Ægir Jarl Jonásson was also a provider of shots but also didn’t hit the target. Mikkel Brund delivered diagonally to O’Vonte Mullings after 21 minutes, who in typical style sprinted toward goal and kicked the ball precisely into the net for a 1-0 lead. Brabrand had attempts, but AB’s goalkeeper Adam Ingi Benediktsson had a really good match and intervened where necessary.

O’Vonte Mullings was in action again after 33 minutes with a short cut into the box followed by a shot that was parried back into play by Brabrand’s goalkeeper. A few minutes later, a quick and long goal kick from Adam Ingi Benediktsson started another opportunity. The ball was crossed in from the wing, but unfortunately Ægir Jarl Jonasson headed past the goal. Mikkel Brund again showed his long throw-ins, and they should have produced a better result.

Brabrand’s goal came after a quickly taken throw-in and a cross into the box, where Nemo Thomsen threw himself into the box and headed the ball into the goal for a 1-1 equalizer after an even first half.

The match pattern continued from the start of the second half, where Brabrand tried to push AB back on the pitch. AB continued to create opportunities, but Casper Grening wasted a big chance when he was free in front of goal but didn’t finish well enough for a goal that could have given a 2-1 lead. It came just two minutes later though, when O’Vonte Mullings in a quick run sent the ball toward goal, and it ended up right in front of the goalkeeper, but Casper Grening got his foot to it for a 2-1 lead.

Then came the substitutions after just under 70 minutes, where Jonathan Mathys came on and replaced Casper Grening. Alfred Peter Horup came on and replaced Mikkel Brund. After 80 minutes, Tobias Hageltorn came on and replaced O “’Vonte Mullings on the wing.

Brabrand still pressed on and had a chance after 97 minutes with a long throw-in, but Adam Ingi Benediktsson jumped high among friends and foes and caught the ball. Then the referee blew the whistle and celebration could break out among AB”’s players, coaching staff and team.

Captain Marc Dal Hende said that the first victory is always the hardest: “It was a tough match that was really physically demanding. Brabrand makes it difficult for us. They are incredibly composed in their play, are physically strong and are good at putting pressure on us. I think we get off to a good start and have many fine transitions in the first half, but we’re just missing that final touch. We are really good with our sharp wingers and attackers, but we lack that final sharpness to close out the match.

In the end it becomes a battle and we know well that there are really many tight matches in the division, where it’s about standing firm. I think we did that really strongly at the end against a team that is good at putting pressure on us.

It became a match on their terms in the first half with many long balls and balls in the air. We talked about at halftime that we should be better at reading the situation and try to play our way out of their initial pressure. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, especially when you’re playing against a team that is so composed in their play. But I think we succeeded with that in the second half, the midfield players became good at taking control of the play and good at passing the ball around. Then we got a bit more out of it and managed to get the play out to the wings and could deliver some crosses.

The first victory is always the hardest. But all in all – there will be many of these – should we call them “grind-it-out matches” – but they also just need to be won. And that’s what characterizes the best teams, that they take 3 points from such a match,” concludes Marc Dal Hende.

Head coach Joey Gudjonsson was satisfied with the 3 points: “We should have scored 2-3 goals in the first half, and it’s the same story as against Helsingør. We did a lot to get the lead, and in my opinion 2-3 goals for us at halftime would have been fair. They made it difficult for us, and we fell into their game. They wanted to make it a physical match – and they’re good at that. They play 5-3-2 and kicked many long balls. We could have played our game much better if we had been a bit smarter especially with the ball.

But again, a win is a win. Casper Grening could probably have scored a hat-trick today. We need to capitalize on the chances we create. We were a bit careless when they scored and that was completely unnecessary. It was a long throw-in, and we need to look more at that to avoid it. We created enough to win the match. There are several positive things we take from the match. But honestly – I don’t think we’re unlucky with the chances. I think there was a lack of decisiveness.

We didn’t want to play with long balls and also not just kick the ball away. It was difficult to play on the dry pitch, and I had the feeling throughout the match that it was hard to get the ball in the net. It made the players a bit nervous, because they always create chances. To be fair, I will say that the players kept going and didn’t give up. They worked hard and pressured Brabrand. All they had were the long balls, and we played up against that. Generally we are happy with the 3 points – and there’s a new match on Wednesday,” concludes Joey Gudjonsson.

The next match is against Ishøj IF at Ishøj Sports & Recreation Center on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM.