|
Fulham's final match in Austria ended in defeat
but Chris Coleman's side worked tirelessly and almost produced a super comeback.
Coleman sent out a young si de
for the first half of their clash with Schalke 04 as they continued their
pre-season campaign.
Moritz Volz led the side out in front of a decent size crowd in Kapfenberg, but
once the match got underway the Fulham defence were put under instant pressure.
Schalke, a week ahead of Fulham in their pre-season schedule, started brightly
and would have taken the lead after just two minutes only for new goalkeeper
Jaroslav Drobny to produce a fantastic diving save to tip the ball over the bar.
The German side kept the ball well and their domination paid off after ten
minutes. Hamit Altintop crossed from the right hand side, Ebbe Sand flicked on
and Levan Kobiashvili headed in at the far post.
Fulham soon found themselves further behind as Schalke scored a stunning second.
Lincoln played a deep free kick into the penalty area and Mladen Kristajic took
a touch on his chest before thundering home a volley off the underneath of the
crossbar.
Sylvain Legwinski tried to use his experience in the middle of the field to
inspire Fulham back into the game but Michael Timlin found himself in the
referee's book on 14 minutes after an over-enthusiastic challenge left Christian
Poulsen grounded.
Czech keeper Drobny produced another great save on 20 minutes as he saved Zlatan
Bajramovic's close range effort.
Adam Green, playing at centre back alongside Dean Leacock, was the next player
to deny Schalke a third goal as he produced a brilliant sliding challenge to
stop Poulsen.
On 37 minutes however Schalke did find a third. Legwinski handballed on the edge
of the area and Drobny could only get one had to the ball as midfielder Lincoln
curled home a free kick.
Five minutes later Legwinski managed Fulham's first shot of the game after a
good build up, but the ball sailed just over the bar.
In the second period Coleman began bringing on some of the first team's more
familiar faces and the game began to swing.
Young Chris James struck a free kick over the bar, and on the hour mark
Legwinski was booked for a late challenge.
Rain began to sweep across the stadium and it seemed to have a positive effect
on Fulham as they found a way back into the game. Timlin latched onto a long
ball from Leacock and placed the ball in the corner of the net on 61 minutes.
Soon after Fulham scored again, and new signing Ahmed Elrich played a big part.
The Australian crossed from the right before some good link up play from Steed
Malbranque teed up Green.
His cross was only half cleared and Claus Jensen swept the ball past Schalke
goalkeeper Frank Rost from just inside the area.
Fulham continued to battle and in the final minute Andrew Cole almost grabbed an
equaliser, but was denied by a great save as Rost tipped his effort over the
bar.
Fulham: Drobny; Volz, Trialist (Fontaine ht / Rehman 80), Leacock, Green (Milsom
80); Legwinski (Pembridge 70), McDermott (Malbranque 56), Pratley (Elrich 56),
James (Jensen 58); Ehui (Cole 62), Timlin (Radzinski 62)
Goals: Timlin 61, Jensen 70 Source - Fulham
FC
|
