Boldklubben Frem 2-0 Cardiff City - Report

The Bluebirds are still without a win on their pre-season tour of Scandinavia following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of BK Frem..

Goals from Samir Haiba and Jairo Antonio De Souza gave the victory to Frem, who were promoted to the  Danish top flight last season.

The Bluebirds took to the field sporting their new away kits. An interesting orange and black combination, which hasn't proved to popular with supporters so far!

The game's referee was Kim Milton Nielsen. The man who infamously sent off England midfielder David Beckham against Argentina in World Cup 1998.

Lawrence made two changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Koge BK, with new signing Tony Vidmar and Jason Bowen replacing Spencer Prior and Mark Bonner respectively.

Frem started the game brightly, giving City plenty of problems with quick forward runs, and deservedly took the lead just eight minutes in. Frem striker Samir Haiba ran straight through City's centre-back pairing of Vidmar and Gabbidon, and neatly finished past Alexander.

The goal came as a wake-up call to the Bluebirds, who suddenly sprung into life, enjoying a long spell of pressure. Robert Earnshaw, Graham Kavanagh and Andy Campbell all went close, but could not find an equaliser.

Frem were still creating chances though, and looking increasingly dangerous on the counter attack, as they looked to double their lead.

The second goal for the Danish outfit nearly came on the 35 minute-mark, with a goal mouth scramble resulting in a Frem shot being cleared off the line.

With just over 5 minutes of the first half to go, City skipper Graham Kavanagh came close to finding an equaliser for the Bluebirds. The former Irish international sent a powerful shot towards goal, but the Frem 'keeper did well to hold it.

With only seconds before the half-time whistle, the home side doubled their lead. A corner from the left was met by the unmarked Jairo Antonio De Souza, who easily finished from two yards out.

The City defending was again at fault for the goal, and will need to be far more alert for life in the First Division.

Half Time - Boldklubben Frem 2-0 Cardiff City

The second half was a disappointing one for City, as they failed to create any clear cut chances.

Willie Boland was booked in the early exchanges for a tough challenge on a Frem midfielder. The challenge forced the player to go off injured, and he could well miss the start of Frem's league campaign.

With an hour gone, and City cruising to defeat, Lennie Lawrence made his first changes. Spencer Prior and Mark Bonner were thrown on to replace Rhys Weston, and the booked Willie Boland.

The substitutions saw the versatile Tony Vidmar move to right back, with Spencer Prior moving into the centre of defence alongside Danny Gabbidon.

With less than twenty minutes to go, City were forced to bring on James Collins following an injury to playoff hero Andy Campbell. The former Middlesbrough striker took a knock on the chin, and needed stitches. Chris Barker was also given a chance, replacing Graham Kavanagh.

With the game approaching it's close, City still failed to pose any threat to Frem, and youngster Stuart Fleetwood was sent on to replace Robert Earnshaw as the Bluebirds looked for some creativity.

Frem are rated as a side similar to a Division Three side in Britain, so the result is a disappointing one for City. Still, Frem have played several more pre-season games than the Bluebirds, so nothing to really worry about yet!

Next up for the Bluebirds is the final game of their tour, against IFK Malmo, and Lennie Lawrence will undoubtedly be looking for a better performance, and a better result to round of the Scandinavian trip.

Full Time - Boldklubben Frem 2-0 Cardiff City

Boldklubben Frem - Stefan Campagnolo; Morten Hamm (Dalibor Gotovac), Antonio de Souza (Andreas Østergaard), Diego tur, Ketil Clorius, Samir Haiba (Yasin Avci), Kim Kristensen, Thomas Høy (Søren Larsen), Lars Brøgger, Søren Krogh (Alex dos Santos), Mirko Selak

Cardiff City - Neil Alexander, Rhys Weston (Spencer Prior), Tony Vidmar, Daniel Gabbidon, Jason Bowen, Willie Bonner (Layton Maxwell 66), Graham Kavanagh (Chris Barker), Willie Boland (Mark Bonner), Andrew Campbell (James Collins), Robert Earnshaw (Stuart Fleetwood), Gareth Whalley.
 

Graham Kavanagh was a shining light for City, in what was otherwise a very disappointing performance.

The City skipper dominated the midfield, making a series of excellent runs forward, and came closest to finding the net for the Bluebirds.

Kavanagh must now look to continue this form in Division One, and silence many of his critics.

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