AGF Aarhus 1
Dundee Utd 2
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Match Report

Given Scotland's poor record in Europe, particularly away from home this was an impressive start against the Danish Cup holders and European Cup Winner's Cup representatives. Remember too that the Danes were putting the finishing touches on their pre-season preparations, which in a playing sense this was the first time the Tangerine's had kick a ball in anger! After AGF had looked the likelier side in the opening period, United almost snatched the lead with their first serious attack, Gary McSwegan almost capitalising on some hesitancy in the Danish defence to stick out a foot to Ray McKinnon's through ball, but his effort took a deflection to slip narrowly past. Eight minutes later, the United striker enjoyed better fortune as he ran on to a lofted curling Owen Coyle pass to spring the offside trap and drilled the ball low under the keeper from just inside the box.

Apart from the aerial threat offered by Håvard Flo, cousin of Justin, the Norwegian international, United looked the more threatening in attack, but early in the second half, the Danes equalised. Lance Key, who had replaced Ally Maxwell at half time, was quickly in action to keep a shot out with his legs following a goalmouth scramble. Unfortunately, the newcomer's involvement was to retrieve the ball from the back of the net! A cross from former Liverpool defence Torben Piechnik from the right was touched in at the near post by Thomas Thorninger. Both sides made numerous substitutions and one of those, Andy McLaren, was to prove the match winner. Rab Shannon floated a ball over the top of the defence for McLaren to run on to and he neatly side footed the ball into the far corner from 16 yards. Given that Aarhus were the strongest side to be faced on the tour, this was a most encouraging start.