AB Exits the Cup After Impressive Performance

A new stadium attendance record was set, with 10,754 spectators in the stands, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Many AB supporters were taken back to the days when the club played in the Danish Superliga.

AB put in an excellent performance, showing good organization, maintaining their shape and fighting for every ball. It was an impressive display from the team.

Brøndby took the lead just 30 seconds into the second half through Philip Bundgaard before Oskar Fenger made it 2–0 in the 78th minute. AB captain Søren Ilsøe pulled one back in the 81st minute to make it 2–1.

Compared with the team's recent winning run, the coaching staff made five changes to the starting line-up. However, there was still plenty of quality throughout the team, once again demonstrating the depth and strength of AB's squad.

AB's Starting Line-up

Adam Benediktsson started in goal, with Tobias Damtoft at right-back, Adrien Koudelka returning to central defence alongside Gabriel Noga, and Marius Stenner at left-back.

Captain Søren Ilsøe and Mikkel Clement played in midfield. Jermain Fernandes started on the left wing, Tobias Hageltorn on the right, while Noah Engell partnered Milan Silva Rasmussen up front.

Match Report

A thrilling cup tie was expected in front of a packed stadium, and AB delivered a well-organized performance, maintaining their level throughout the match.

In the 20th minute, Brøndby won a free-kick that was blocked by Milan Silva Rasmussen. The resulting corner led to an AB counterattack, with Tobias Hageltorn reaching the byline and sending a cross into the box. The ball was cleared and eventually fell outside the penalty area, where Gabriel Noga struck a shot that sailed over the crossbar.

Brøndby moved forward quickly, and in the 31st minute, Marcus Younis drove down the right wing to the byline. He crossed towards Patrick Mortensen in the middle of the box, but Mortensen couldn't reach the ball as Adam Benediktsson intervened to deal with the danger. AB struggled at times to contain Brøndby's attacks down the right flank.

Shortly afterwards, Marius Stenner made a good forward run and played a one-two with Milan Silva Rasmussen into the box, but unfortunately, the ball got away from him.

Brøndby came out strongly after the break and scored just 30 seconds into the second half. Philip Bundgaard carried the ball across the penalty area before slotting it into the far corner to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.

Brøndby had a huge chance in the 53rd minute when two players were left unmarked with opportunities to score, but the finish went over the bar.

Shortly afterwards, Marius Stenner played the ball into the box for Noah Engell, who drove towards the byline and crossed to the far side. Milan Silva Rasmussen laid the ball back to Jermain Fernandes, but his shot was blocked.

In the 58th minute, Aidan Liu came on in central defence, replacing Marius Stenner. O'Vonte Mullings replaced Jermain Fernandes on the left wing, while Saliou Diop came on for Noah Engell up front.

Tobias Damtoft moved across to left-back, while Adrien Koudelka shifted to the right side of the defence.

In the 60th minute, Søren Ilsøe tried to chip the ball into the box for Tobias Hageltorn, who got a shot away but directed it straight at Brøndby goalkeeper Patrick Pentz.

Marco Vesterholm replaced Mikkel Clement in midfield in the 71st minute.

Brøndby created another dangerous opportunity, but Adam Benediktsson gathered the ball at the second attempt.

AB pushed for an equaliser and pressed high into Brøndby's half. However, the visitors launched a quick counterattack and advanced into the penalty area, exchanging a couple of passes before Oskar Fenger took a touch and fired a low shot into the net to make it 2–0.

With 10 minutes remaining, AB put together an excellent attacking move. Milan Silva Rasmussen dribbled across the pitch, turned and found Søren Ilsøe, who unleashed a superb shot into the top-right corner to make it 2–1. Pentz had no chance of stopping it.

With four minutes of normal time remaining, Marco Ramkilde came on for Tobias Hageltorn.

Brøndby created several more chances in the closing minutes, but Adam Benediktsson once again proved a reliable last line of defence, including when Daniel Wass fired from close range.

Captain Søren Ilsøe is Proud of the Performance: “We lost today, but we put in a good performance. I'm really disappointed with the first goal we conceded, because it's never nice to let one in so early in the second half.

We were ready, but that must never happen. Apart from that, I'm really proud of our performance over the full 90 minutes.

We played really well in the first half, and if we'd moved the ball around a couple more times, we could have created some big chances. When Brøndby get opportunities, it's because we've made small mistakes. At no point did they play through us and completely outclass us. I'm proud of our performance.

There was no reason to sit back when we were behind in a cup match. We had to push forward, press and hope it would pay off. We're not afraid to press — it's something we're really good at.

Brøndby have some quick players, and they got a counterattack that led to their second goal. Of course, I don't think it's undeserved that they won 2–1. We scored and got ourselves back into the game, but unfortunately, we couldn't get any more out of it.

The positive thing about being knocked out of the cup is that we can now focus on one competition, and that's what we're aiming to do. We've got some exciting matches coming up for the rest of the autumn season, and we need to fight to stay in the top six with some strong performances,” Søren Ilsøe concludes.

Head Coach Fannar Berg Gunnólfsson: Valuable Experience for the Team

We played a really good match, and throughout the first half, we did an excellent job of keeping them away from our goal. I think they had one shot on target in the first half. In the second half, we didn't adjust our defensive shape as we should have, and they punished us — after just 40 seconds. Overall, I'm really pleased.

We should have been awarded a penalty late in the game when the defender kicked Saliou Diop down inside the penalty area. The referee decided to give Saliou a yellow card instead.

It was an exciting match for us, and it also gave us valuable experience to take forward. The atmosphere was almost electric, and I think everyone must have had a wonderful evening.

Now we need to return our focus to the league, where we face Fredericia on Saturday. So we'll recover and take a little time to relax before getting back on our feet and making sure we can win our league matches,” Fannar Berg Gunnólfsson concludes.

Next Match

AB's next match is on Saturday, 31 October 2026, at 13:30 against FC Fredericia at Monjasa Park.