PREVIEW: DANISH CUP ACTION David Smith - Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Marcus Tracy should see time in Aalborg's lineup on Thursday's trip to third-tiered Hobro IK, as they try to join Michael Parkhurst and Nordsjælland in the quarterfinals of the Danish Cup.
Hobro IK - Aalborg BK
Following a short appearance in the weekend's loss to Brøndby in league play, Marcus Tracy will hope to see more time for Aalborg on Thursday as they head south to Second Division neighbors Hobro IK.
Aalborg have cooled off considerably from their relatively hot start which saw them rise as high as first place, settling into the bottom half of the standings currently at seventh place.
With the chance of a top-three finish slowly dimming in the midst of the team's five-game Superliga winless streak, they find themselves in a similar position to last season, where an extended cup run could provide them their only shot at European competition.
They bested First Division team Thisted FC by a commanding 3-0 scoreline in the previous round of the cup, however have gone on to lose three of their last four in the league in the time since.
Even with their recent poor showings, the short drive south to 2. Division West team Hobro IK should prove to be a relatively sure road to the quarterfinals, barring a humiliating collapse.
Placed a respectable fifth place in their division, Hobro easily overcame fellow 2. Division team Allerød FK in the previous round by a 2-0 score, but have been unspectacular in their last two outings, the most recent a 4-0 thrashing by Ikast FS.
While naming a full-strength traveling squad for the match, Aalborg coach Magnus Pehrsson will likely use the seeming mismatch to rest up several of his normal starters before Monday's visit to league leaders Odense, possibly handing Tracy a rare starting role.
Missing from his squad due to injury are defenders Michael Jakobsen, Thomas Gaardsøe and Jens-Kristian Sørensen as well as forward Daniel Fredheim Holm and midfielder Dennis Marshall.
Notes
Michael Parkhurst and Nordsjælland already progressed to the quarterfinals by way of their 5-1 victory over AIK 65 Strøby one week prior.
FC Midtjylland progressed to the quarterfinals by way of a 5-0 road thrashing of Esbjerg, however castaway Danny Califf was not included in the squad.
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