Cho Gue-sung gets a goal and assist as Midtjylland beat AGF 2-1

Cho Gue-sung flashes his wolf sign during the match between FC Midtjylland and AGF in Herning, Denmark on Sunday in a photo shared on Instagram. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

FC Midtjylland striker Cho Gue-sung was involved in both goals in their 2-1 win over Aarhus Gymnastikforening (AGF) on Sunday, securing a crucial three points for a club neck-and-neck in the race for the Danish Superliga title and a shot to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Cho scored his 12th goal and recorded his third assist of the 2023-24 season, his first in Europe as the club’s top scorer.

The 26-year-old opened the scoring for the home side in the 24th minute at MCH Arena in Herning, Denmark, reacting to a deflected shot from a long cross to calmly slot the ball into the right side of the net.

Cho was in action minutes later, receiving the ball from Midtjylland goalkeeper Jonas Lossl and heading it down the middle of the pitch where a racing Mads Bech Sorensen finished the job in the 32nd minute.

Visitors AGF put one back in stoppage time but failed to manage a comeback in the second half, Midtjylland remaining a hair away from catching Copenhagen for the coveted Champions League qualifier spot.

Midtjylland have three games left in the Superliga playoffs, where the top six teams after the 26-game regular season face off for the league title and ticket to the qualifiers for the next Champions League season while the bottom six fight to avoid relegation.

Midtjylland ended the regular season in first place on the 12-team table and now sit in second place in the Championship Round, tied on points with No. 1 Copenhagen, at 48, but falling behind on goal difference.

Cho signed with Midtjylland last July on a two-year deal and has yet to play in the Champions League. Fellow Korean player Lee Han-beom also plays for the club as a defender, but was not in Sunday's squad.

Midtjylland next play No. 1 Copenhagen at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on Thursday.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]