AGF Aarhus, next Thursday's opponent of Club Brugge in the second preliminary round of the Conference League, opened the new season in the Danish Superliga with a narrow victory. It defeated promotionist Vejle 1-0 on its own field.
Aarhus finished third last season, behind champion FC Copenhagen and vice-champion Nordsjælland. Vejle, for its part, crowned itself champions in the First Division and had thus secured promotion to the Superliga. Aarhus started as favorites at its own Ceres Park and took the lead midway through the first half through Tobias Bech, on a pass from center striker Mortensen. German coach Uwe Rösler's team easily held on and did not get into trouble. To make matters worse, the visitors had to continue with ten men after an hour of play after red for defensive midfielder Lauritsen. It remained 1-0, giving Aarhus an immediate lead in the Superliga. Thursday's match against Blauw-Zwart is followed by Sunday's topper against Nordsjælland. (SF)
AGF Aarhus: Hansen - Mølgaard, Tingager, Kristensen - Beijmo, Poulsen, Emil Madsen (78' Knudsen), Links (72' Kahl) - Bech (85' Daghim), Mortensen (78' Serra), Duelund (72' Anderson).
Goal: 23' Bech (1-0).
