Effective FCK advances in Europe despite Japanese player's sending-off

FC Copenhagen (FCK) has secured their progression to the third qualifying round of the Conference League, overcoming Ukrainian side FC Polissya with a narrow 5-4 aggregate victory. The Danish club clinched a tense 2-1 win in the second leg at Parken stadium, a result made more challenging by playing the entire second half a man down.

Japanese defender Junnosuke Suzuki received a straight red card early in the second half, forcing FCK to defend their lead with ten players. Despite the disadvantage, goals from captain Mohamed Elyounoussi and Brazilian winger Robert were enough to seal the win. Coach Bo Svensson's team remains unbeaten in the new season after three matches, though their on-field performance is still finding its rhythm.

FCK now awaits the winner of the tie between Hungary's Debreceni and Armenia's Pyunik. Debreceni holds a 1-0 advantage heading into their second leg. The Copenhagen team will need to find greater consistency as they continue their European campaign, especially after a first half where they ceded initiative to their opponents and relied on a penalty to open the scoring.