AB Gladsaxe: The Unstoppable Force

What a run it’s been for AB Gladsaxe! The team rolled into their latest match riding an incredible six-game winning streak. And with Fremad Amager snagging a win against Næstved, the pressure was on Middelfart – they desperately needed points against AB to keep their promotion dreams alive. But alas, AB had other plans! They crushed those hopes with another dominant victory, extending their sensational winning streak to a magnificent seven games in a row!

Player of the Year Honors

Before the whistle even blew, the accolades were pouring in.  O’Vonte Mullings was crowned “Player of the Year” by AB Forever’s members – well deserved! And if that wasn’t enough, Noah Engell was also celebrated as “Player of the Year” in the 2nd division, a true testament to his talent as voted by players across the league.

Lineup Shuffles

For today’s clash, AB had to make a few adjustments. Agust Hlynsson was out due to suspension, so Ægir Jonasson stepped up to fill his boots in the starting lineup, playing right up front alongside Noah Engell.  The dynamic O’Vonte Mullings was back in the starting eleven after his own quarantine stint, taking over the right wing and sending Frederik Lindgaard to the bench.

Here’s how AB lined up for battle: Nicholas Christoffersen guarding the net; a rock-solid central defense of Noah Ibsen and Adrien Koudelka; Steven Simpson holding down the right flank and Rasmus Brodersen on the left. In the heart of the midfield, we had captain Søren Ilsøe leading the charge with Mikkel Brund. Out wide, Casper Grening and O’Vonte Mullings brought the pace, and up top, Ægir Jonasson linked up with Noah Engell.

A Battle of Wills and a Goal Rush

It was clear from the get-go that both teams came to play football! The first half was a real chess match, with Middelfart sitting deep in a disciplined five-man block. AB pushed hard for control, and as the half wore on, they started dictating the tempo and creating chances. Ægir Jarl Jonasson came agonizingly close with a header, but Middelfart’s keeper somehow got a hand to it. Shortly after, a Middelfart player broke free from Noah Ibsen and unleashed a shot, but it went wide.

The chances kept coming for AB.  Ægir Jarl Jonasson nearly connected with a brilliant cross from O’Vonte Mullings, who had danced past defenders on the wing. Mullings then had a go himself, but his shot was blocked. The rebound fell to Adrien Koudelka, who fired a rocket towards the goal, only for the keeper to make another great save. The ball bounced around the box and Ægir Jonasson attempted a scissor kick, but again, Middelfart’s goalie stood tall.

Just before halftime, the breakthrough finally arrived.  Casper Grening found space on the edge of the box and whipped in a perfect pass. Ægir Jarl Jonasson arrived like a freight train, connecting sweetly to make it 1-0 for AB in the 44th minute.  What a way to end the half!

Second Half Dominance and a Debut

AB picked up right where they left off after the break, maintaining a fantastic pace of play. Middelfart tried to press, pushing further into AB’s half and taking some shots, but with Nicholas Christoffersen in goal, along with the entire defense, they were not able to reach the AB net.  In the 61st minute, Noah Engell seized his moment, running onto a loose ball on the corner of the area then dribbling past two defenders before calmly slotting it home for a 2-0 lead. Even with Middelfart’s continued pressure, AB’s defense, spearheaded by the tireless Søren Ilsøe cleaning up everything in midfield, ensured they regained possession time and time again.

As the game wound down, O’Vonte Mullings was substituted for Frederik Lindgaard, whose shot wasn’t quite sharp enough. But AB wasn’t done scoring.  A shot was parried right on the line, and the ball fell to Adrien Koudelka, who smashed it into the net for a commanding 3-0 lead! And to put the icing on the cake, Frederik Lindgaard capped off a fantastic team performance with a brilliant run, a neat move around the keeper, and a cool finish to make it a resounding 4-0 victory.

Captain’s Pride and Coach’s Praise

Captain Søren Ilsøe was absolutely beaming after the match, emphasizing that AB can truly beat any team in the 2nd division.

“I think we played a great game against a good opponent,” he stated. “Middelfart is really good at what they do, and they made us work. For the first half-hour, it was tough, but once we got control, we dominated them.” He continued, “In the second half, we were fantastic in duels, in our play, our communication, and our will. We’ve gotten really good at identifying how opponents play, and then we just play super fast. We move players around, and they have to run those extra meters. We do that for a whole game, and then opponents get dead tired. That opens up gaps, and we just have some absolutely fantastic players up front who can score goals.”

Ilsøe added, “Our goal when we started the promotion playoffs was to win it, and that was our motivation. When we face the top teams, we want to show for next season that we can beat all of them. Those who get promoted are no better than us. We can beat any team in the 2nd division, and we’re delivering on that.” He concluded, “We try to put pressure on ourselves, even if we can’t move up. We play really intense football, and that’s why opponents break down in the end. Of course, I would have liked to be in a high-pressure situation like Middelfart was, but the reason we’re playing so well is also that we’re putting pressure on ourselves and getting ready for next season. So we’re not just playing a friendly match; we’re playing as if we’re fighting for promotion, and I think you can see that.”

Coach Joey Gudjonsson was equally thrilled, highlighting another brilliant team performance: “It was a really good performance and a fantastic victory. That’s three wins in a row against the top three teams in the division. When we entered the promotion group, we knew it would be tough because we didn’t have enough consistency or wins in the first half of the season.” He continued, “I couldn’t be happier with the response and what we’ve done since January. I hope all our supporters can see what we’re building!”

Gudjonsson added, “The pressure is huge, especially at home, and we’ve scored a lot of goals and put in truly excellent performances. I’ve said it before: it doesn’t matter when we change players. The team doesn’t get weaker, and today, those who came off the bench put in great efforts too. We made it really difficult for Middelfart with our free kicks, corner kicks, and long throw-ins. We played through the lines. And it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a talent like Noah Engell – it’s always a pleasure to watch him play. Overall, a fantastic team performance today!”

He also gave a shout-out to the future of the club: “There’s one thing I really want to highlight, and that’s our U19 team. They’ve had an incredible season. They were unlucky not to reach the cup final, and just yesterday, they won their division. It’s amazing to have such a talented pipeline. Today, we even gave Alfred his senior debut, and he’s a perfect example of what we’re aiming for. He plays with heart and for his team, and he showed that today. It’s truly a pleasure to see another academy player make it to the first team.”

“Now, there’s just one game left,” Gudjonsson concluded, “and we’re going to finish strong and take the win against Næstved next week!”

Substitutions and the Final Whistle

During the second half, we saw some fresh legs join the action:

  • Steven Simpson (62′) off for Mikkel Nielsen
  • Casper Grening (62′) off for Yushi Yamaya
  • Mikkel Brund (74′) off for Pachanga Kristensen
  • Noah Engell (74′) off for Frederik Lindgaard
  • Ægir Jarl Jonasson (84′) off for Alfred Peter Horup, who made his senior debut!

A roaring crowd of 717 spectators witnessed this fantastic victory!

Catch AB Gladsaxe in their final match of the season away at Næstved on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 2 PM.