Having registered a creditable 1-1 draw with Drita on the opening day of this year’s competition, it didn’t take KuPS long to threaten netting the game’s opening goal on unfamiliar territory.
Facing off against Icelandic opposition for the first-ever time, the visitors needed only three minutes to come agonisingly close to finding the back of the net as Petteri Pennanen’s strike from the edge of the area beat Anton Ari Einarsson all ends up.
However, the right-hand post luckily came to the rescue of Breidablik’s number one, but to the frustration of KuPS’ captain.
In response to nearly falling behind, the domestic defending Icelandic champions should have broken the ice in front of goal on the stroke of the quarter-hour mark, but David Ingvarsson somehow misdirected his rebounded effort high into the stands from deep inside the penalty area.
That spurned opportunity from Ingvarsson ultimately turned out to be the final opportunity to break the deadlock throughout a lacklustre first half, as both sides fought back-and-forth in the middle of the park to take control in Reykjavik.
Clearly unimpressed by his side’s lack of activity in front of goal throughout the opening 45 minutes, KuPS manager Jarkko Wiss resorted to making a double substitution at HT, introducing forward Mohamed Toure and attack-minded defender Clinton Antwi.
Nevertheless, Breidablik were the ones to spurn the best chance of the game in the 57th minute, as they were handed the opportunity to begin the celebrations from the penalty spot after Saku Savolainen had illegally controlled the ball with his arm.
But Gunnlaugsson could only stare at the ground in disappointment, hoping it would open up to save his embarrassment, after firing his effort wide.
Breidablik were back on the attack not long after as Thorleifur Ulfarsson forced a fine save out of Einarsson.
However, in a carbon copy of the first half, both sides failed to manufacture another meaningful scoring opportunity as the game petered out in disappointing fashion for those in attendance inside the Laugardalsvollur.
A share of the spoils extends KuPS’ unbeaten record across all competitions to seven matches (W4, D3), but somewhat more concerning is the fact that the Yellow-Black have only triumphed in one of their last nine away days (D3, L5).
Meanwhile, Breidablik’s recent run of form is also of concern to manager Halldor Arnason after emerging victorious in only one of their last nine matches (D5, L3).