Fulham XI 1 Limassol 1 Orlando Sa had an impressive game for Limassol in the match at Motspur Park this afternoon. While Fulham fielded a number of first squad players - Stockdale; Passley (’85), Hughes, Senderos, Riise; Frei, Karagounis (’54), David, Duff; Kasami (’68), Islamovic (’78). Subs: Etheridge, Grimmer, Tankovic (’68), Mesca (’54), Woodrow (’78), Vigen Christensen (’85) " Fulham started brilliantly with Giorgos Karagounis pulling the strings in the centre. The Greek midfielder had a blistering long range drive tipped against the bar by the Limassol goalkeeper in the third minute and then played a wonderful ball over the top for Damien Duff to race onto. The Irishman steadied himself and put in a cross to the near post which was guided home by the advancing Dino Islamovic to put Fulham ahead. With confidence flowing, the Fulham XI saw plenty of possession in the opening exchanges and limited the opposition to long ball tactics, which were easily dealt with at the back by the commanding Philippe Senderos and Aaron Hughes. Young right-back Josh Passley showed his pace to get back and block a shot, but Fulham’s dominance was obviously getting to the Cypriots as plenty of fouls outside the box gave us a chance to score from a free-kick. On 36 minutes, Chris David’s vision saw Duff break through the defensive line and latch onto a ball over the top, but he was just unable to control it and make room for a shot. Then Limassol almost equalised as a teasing ball in saw David Stockdale parry into the path of former Fulham player Orlando Sa, but the striker shot over with the net gaping. Sa then pounced on a blocked shot before the half, but was unable to test Stockdale. With Fulham in control at half-time, there were no changes for either side at the break but Limassol came out of the blocks much quicker. Hughes was forced to clear immediately, then Sa’s deflected shot flew narrowly over. With the Cypriots attacking well, they were able to get the equaliser they deserved in the 50th minute. A flick from Sa out to the left saw Edmar hammer a shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards, crashing it off the bar and beyond the diving Stockdale. Fulham’s first change saw Mesca arrive for Karagounis, but the winger could not inspire a revival and Hughes was required to intervene again to stop a cross finding a Limassol shirt inside the six-yard box. Sa was continuing to cause havoc and his free-kick from 25 yards whistled just wide of the post. A dead-ball situation seemed most likely to break the deadlock and, within minutes, David’s floated delivery caused trouble in Cypriots’ defence but was cleared as the goalkeeper blocked back out into his area. On 73 minutes, after a foul on Sa, the diminutive Bebe had an effort from 25 yards which dipped over the wall and was brilliantly palmed round the post by the sprawling Stockdale to keep the score at 1-1. The goalkeeper was required to intervene from the resulting corner, too, as he got up high to challenge Georgios Eleftheriou, who came off worse as the two clashed in the air. Limassol continued to do well in possession and threatened on the break, with Stockdale forced to dive low to his near post to save an effort from distance, before a deep cross was skied over seconds later. Fulham’s last attempts came in the final minutes as Passley found some space down the right hand side, beating two men before his cross was headed clear and out of danger. David then tried a cheeky chip as he collected the ball following some neat interplay in the box with substitute Cauley Woodrow, but it sailed wide and our hopes of netting a winner went with it."
karagounis 2 turnouts in less than 24 hours, can we sign orlando sa, just so we can sing the orlando sa song
This looks like a strategy for getting some of the youngsters feeling integrated with the senior squad. The seniors who played are not first choicers, but include some of our best attitudes (Duffer, Kara, Aaron) - this looks like a good way of bringing them on to me.
