Andersen eager to make impact

By Marcus Christenson

FC Nordsjælland coach Christian Andersen is aiming to raise the profile of his young club, a task he hopes to start tonight when they take on Panionios GS for a place in the UEFA Cup second round.

Rapid progress
For a 12-year-old club, FC Nordsjælland have made remarkable progress. The club was borne out of a merger between Farum Idræts Klub and Stavnsholt Boldklub in 1991, and changed their name from Farum Boldklub to FC Nordsjælland in July 2003.

Fledgling team
In 1991, they were in the Danish second division - a year ago they were in the first division. Tonight, they are hoping to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit against their Greek opponents to push on in the UEFA Cup.

'Establishing ourselves'
"We are a very young club and therefore every victory, every progress is important for us," the 59-year-old told uefa.com. "It is only our second season in the top division and we are still trying to establish ourselves. Playing in Europe is a very important step for us in promoting the name of the club."

Creating a buzz
Nordsjælland are working hard to become one of the top clubs in Denmark and have the help of chairman Allan K. Pedersen's financial prowess. The name change was one way of becoming more recognisable - and the signing of the Japanese international goalkeeper Yoshi Kawaguchi has been another step in creating a buzz around the inexperienced club.

Market value
There were initial fears that Kawaguchi was only signed because of his ability to sell shirts and other merchandise in the Far East, but Andersen says that there is no risk of him playing the Japan No1 unless he is good enough.

'Commercial signing'
"It is possible that he [Kawaguchi] was a so-called commercial signing but in the end it is me who decides who is playing," Andersen said. "Kawaguchi had been playing very well in the second team and our first keeper had made some mistakes so Kawaguchi deserved a chance.

Kawaguchi should play
"He played very well and, although he is now away with the national team playing Tunisia and Romania, he will start the game on Wednesday all being well. The main thing is that if he is good enough then he will be playing," Andersen added.

Third from bottom
Despite these efforts to make Nordsjælland successful off the pitch, it is on the pitch that results are ultimately achieved. And the Farum club are finding it difficult in their second year in the Super League. They are currently third from bottom after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Herfølge BK last weekend.

Time off
"Yes, we did not play well against Herfølge and I gave the players the weekend off," he said. "They need to get away from football sometimes and we have a hectic schedule ahead of us. I now hope that they will have recharged their batteries for the Panionios game."

Andersen hopeful
With the town of Farum now bracing itself ahead of the decisive UEFA Cup game, Andersen is hopeful despite that first-leg defeat. He said: "We have at least a 50-50 chance of going through. They are very strong in the air going forward and we have to look out for that on corners and free-kicks."

Small but ambitious
It is without doubt the biggest game in Nordsjælland's short history. And other small, but very ambitious, clubs around Europe will follow their progress with interest.